I started writing letters home to my mother, saying that I wanted to come home, grandma won't let me sing.

I won't wear rings and jewelry on the stage because I don't want you looking at my hands. I want you hearing what I'm saying.

I'm just singing what I feel in my heart.

I'm old enough to be Obama's grandmom. But I still like seeing good-looking things. Nothing wrong with that.

Well Lord, I'm still on the case. I'm still doing what Dr. King and Pops want me to do. I'm still on that freedom highway, and I'm going to walk on it until Dr. King's dream is realized.

I was not fortunate enough to run into Obama. We were at the same church per se, but I would never be there when he was there.

I started writing letters home to my mother, saying that I wanted to come home, grandma won't let me sing.