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.

After I got over the terrible pain of having something of mine taken from me, I began to think how bad everybody else must be feeling. It wasn't a nice time.

I had my schooling right there in the Cotton Club.

You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way.

Malcolm X made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. He had peace in his heart. He exerted a big influence on me.

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.

I really do hate to sing.