The man does not beat your head because you got a Cadillac or because you got a Ford; he beats you because you're black!

When you understand your obligations to God then you can understand your obligations to society.

I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.

Individuals do not create rebellions; conditions do.

Everybody in the black community must organize, and then we decide whether we will have alliance with other people or not, but not until we are organized.

This is a very unforgiving country when you show this country its warts, when you hold the mirror up. If you happen not to share their beliefs, they'll kill you.

Being a man is the continuing battle for one's life. One loses a bit of manhood with every stale compromise to the authority of any power in which one does not believe.

There's no such thing as second class citizenship. That's like telling me you can be a little bit pregnant.

See, it's no in between: you're either free or you're a slave.

The poverty program was not designed to eliminate poverty.

Attack those concepts such as 'third world.' Think about it. If we look at it in terms of numbers, then people of color are the majority in this world. We should be the 'first world.'

Spirit of spirits!

The gods are blind. And men see only what they wish.

There is no movement without our own resistance.

If nobody said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth.

I have a strong tennis arm.

I always worried someone would notice me, and then when no one did, I felt lonely.

Too many of our children cannot read. Reading is the building block, and it must be the foundation for education reform.

I am persistent about everything I believe in. If there's a film I want to do, a record, a Broadway show - I do it. Everybody can hate it but I will still do it. I am fearless that way.

Notorious sinners didn’t kill Jesus. Religious people did.

To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.