I think it's the strength of her music, using art to make a statement. I think it really is. It was not a cheap gift. The gift was an expensive gift for Nina [Simone]. Diamonds are expensive. Her music was expensive. She paid for it, but I think it's her greatest gift.

Ever been kidnapped by a poet if i were a poet i'd kidnap you put you in my phrases and meter.

Photographers direct the eye toward a particular object. We who write, one hopes, are directing the heart and the soul.

The nature of tragedy and accident is that we cannot predict.

I am a huge fan of the Black woman. I never hesitate to recommend her when times are bad or things go wrong.

A white face goes with a white mind. Occasionally a black face goes with a white mind. Very seldom a white face will have a black mind.

Iife/personality must be taken as a total entity. All of your life is all of your life, and no one incident stands alone.