She had to find a way to lift them together. The only thing she had was a moan. And she moaned. That moan would become a Spiritual; that Spiritual would become Jazz; which would become Blues then Rhythm and Blues then Rap. That moan would define not only a people but the nation to which they were sailing. That moan would make those people decide that they should, that they could, live.

I have always secretly felt that what mankind should be in an ideal sense is that mixture of people and races. I really believe in it. I don’t think there is anything sacred in the integrity of race, white or black.

White folks needs what black folks got just as much as black folks needs what white folks got, and we’s all got to stay here mongst each other and git along, that’s what.

I want my careless song to strike no minor key; no fiend to stand between my body’s Southern song – the fusion of the South, my body’s song and me.

You is born lucky, and it’s better to be born lucky than born rich, cause if you is lucky you can git rich, but if you is born rich and you ain’t lucky you is liables to lose all you got.

A writer needs certain conditions in which to work and create art. She needs a piece of time; a peace of mind; a quiet place; and a private life.

You is born lucky, and it's better to be born lucky than born rich, cause if you is lucky you can git rich, but if you is born rich and you ain't lucky you is liables to lose all you got.

Racism is so extreme and so pervasive in our American society that no black individual lives in an atmosphere of freedom.

Only ways you can keep folks hating is to keep them apart and separated from each other.

White folks needs what black folks got just as much as black folks needs what white folks got, and we's all got to stay here mongst each other and git along, that's what.