Every color I can think of and nationality, we were all touched by Dr. King because he made us like each other and respect each other.

I had my schooling right there in the Cotton Club.

Don't be afraid to feel as angry or as loving as you can, because when you feel nothing, it's just death.

You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way. But the slanting process is so subtle that you frequently don't realize how you're being slanted until very late in the game.

The naked female body is treated so weirdly in society. It's like people are constantly begging to see it, but once they do, someone's a hoe.

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

I really do hate to sing.