Artists are the gatekeepers of truth.

My future depends mostly upon myself.

Artists are the gate keepers of truth. We are civilization’s radical voice.

I've learned that my people are not the only ones oppressed... I have sung my songs all over the world and everywhere found that some common bond makes the people of all lands take to Negro songs as their own.

I did a long concert tour in England and Denmark and Sweden, and I also sang for the Soviet people, one of the finest musical audiences in the world.

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.

The talents of an artist, small or large, are God-given... They are a sacred trust.