I’ve not learned the acceptable way of saying you fascinate me...I’ve not even learned how to say I like you without frightening people away-

We believe 'Peter Rabbit' because Beatrix Potter believes it. You have to.

Black love is Black wealth and they'll probably talk about my hard childhood and never understand that all the while I was quite happy

The trip to Mars can only be understood through Black Americans. I say, the trip to Mars can only be understood through Black Americans.

Being Black and poor is, I think, radically different from being anything else and poor. Poor, to most Blacks, is a state of mind. Those who accept it are poor; those who struggle are middle class.

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.

There are some things we do simply because the doing is a success.