Every artist, every scientist, every writer must decide now where he stands. The artist must take sides. He must elect to fight for freedom or for slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative.

In my music, my plays, my films, I want to carry always this central idea: to be African.

Freedom is a hard-bought thing and millions are in chains, but they strain toward the new day drawing near.

To be free . . . to walk the good American earth as equal citizens, to live without fear, to enjoy the fruits of our toil, to give our children every opportunity in life--that dream which we have held so long in our hearts is today the destiny that we hold in our hands.

We [must] realize that our future lies chiefly in our own hands.

Like any other people, like fathers, mothers, sons and daughters in every land, when the issue of peace or war has been put squarely to the American people, they have registered for peace.

Get them to sing your song and they will want to know who you are.