Racism is so universal in this country, so widespread and deepseated, that it is invisible because it is so normal.

I’d like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts. That’s how I’d like to be remembered.

Don't list to those who say YOU CAN'T. Listen to the voice inside yourself that says, I CAN.

Be as bold as the first man or [woman] to eat an oyster.

When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom that profit loses.

Our representative democracy is not working because the Congress that is supposed to represent the voters does not respond to their needs. I believe the chief reason for this is that it is ruled by a small group of old men.

As there were no black Founding Fathers, there were no founding mothers - a great pity, on both counts.