[Belafonte]'d take me to perform for Martin Luther King's cause. But when they were marching I did not take part, because I was not a citizen

Be careful, think about the effect of what you say. Your words should be constructive, bring people together, not pull them apart.

The conqueror writes history, they came, they conquered and they write. You don't expect the people who came to invade us to tell the truth about us.

Girls are the future mothers of our society, and it is important that we focus on their well-being.

I kept my culture. I kept the music of my roots. Through my music I became this voice and image of Africa and the people without even realising.

Age is getting to know all the ways the world turns, so that if you cannot turn the world the way you want, you can at least get out of the way so you won't get run over.

There are three things I was born with in this world, and there are three things I will have until the day I die-hope, determination, and song.

Africa has her mysteries, and even a wise man cannot understand them. But a wise man respects them

I see other black women imitate my style, which is no style at all, but just letting our hair be itself. They call it the Afro Look.

I do not sing politics. I merely sing the truth.

If given a choice, I would have certainly selected to be what I am: one of the oppressed instead of one of the oppressors.

If Roberts had been a poet or a painter or a musician

I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want.

Hot dogs and Red Vines and potato chips and French fries are my favorite foods.

History isn't just what happened, but what happened to whom and why and what would have been different if the cast of characters had been different.

My room is so small, the mice are hunchbacked.

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.

I would love to do a period movie. I've always wanted to wear the corset, you know. It's a girl thing!

There is no other revolution except consciousness. It cuts the desires from the very roots and it brings freedom to you.

I like to look at a tree and see that it's love. Don't you?

You have to give an editor something to change, or he gets fretful. After he pees in it, he likes the flavor better, so he buys it.