When they were making black films in the '60s and the '70s, everyone knew their place, if you get my drift. You understand? Everyone knew the rules, and everyone knew their place. Everyone knew what to say. They had the written rules in Hollywood film, and the unwritten rules.

White people are very good at acting like they're not racist. They deserve an Academy Award for that.

I have nothing to do with racism in America; it was here when I got here.

I've never seen anyone more messed up over success than Richard Pryor. For him, it's a constant battle between success in the white world and keeping it real for his black self.

I don't want affirmative action - too much affirmative, not enough action.

A woman can tell me about her having a baby, but I'll never know what it is to have a baby.

No wonder circus animals do what they do: They tortured them. And you know the only ones they can't control? It's the chimpanzees. You can't control them. That's why you never see a gorilla in a movie, because the gorilla may decide there'll be no filming.