My identity is very clear to me now, I am a black woman.

I remember the day tDr. King died. I wasn't angry at the beginning. It was like something very personal in my life had been touched and finished.

I've seen so much. And I've heard so many great performers. There are performers now that couldn't work back in the days when I came along.

I want to sing like Aretha Franklin. Before her I wanted the technical ability of Ella Fitzgerald.

I'm not alone, I'm free. I no longer have to be a credit, I don't have to be a symbol to anybody; I don't have to be a first to anybody.

My identity is very clear to me now, I am a black woman.

It's ill-becoming for an old broad to sing about how bad she wants it. But occasionally we do.