I wanted to show the history and strength of all kinds of black women. Working women, country women, urban women, great women in the history of the United States.

I have always wanted my art to service my people - to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential. We have to create an art for liberation and for life.

Art is only important to the extent that it aids in the liberation of our people.

There is no one who was supposed to come to this world and leave empty.

You can't do anything about the past, it's done and can't be mended. But the future is different, if you just think what you really want and reach out and take it.

Grandpa had made the Lord seem so real, I wouldn't of been surprised if he'd said good night to Him. But after a long pause he just said a-men.

Poetry is more a threshold than a path.

Now that I know that I am no wiser than anyone else, does this wisdom make me wiser?

I feel great, very healthy and alive and really happy that I can remember yesterday and I can remember the day before.

That's the thing about friendship, it's a lot rarer than love, because there is nothing in it for any body.

The local music community here was dying for a place to record, so we started doing acoustic, folk and bluegrass and then did rock projects for other bands, as well as for my son Tal and my own work.

Good is not always God's will, but God's will is always good.

One whom the music of his own vain tongue doth ravish like enchanting harmony.