Since the days of slavery, if you were a good singer or dancer, it was your job to perform for the master after dinner.

When I went to school, you had to take art, you had to play an instrument. You had to play an instrument. But it's all degraded since then. I do not know what kind of nation we are that is cutting art, music, and gym out of the public-school curriculum.

As a people we do not need anyone else's stamp of approval.

Because many advances have happened, we've lost the urgency (and that's just human nature) that we had before, when we couldn't vote, couldn't use mass transportation, or drink from the fountains.

I like to work with the same people when I can, and you want to get people with the same interests that you have, and the same aesthetic.

Fight the power that be. Fight the power.

'Do the Right Thing' was like the first film where I really felt comfortable working with actors.