The naked female body is treated so weirdly in society. It’s like people are constantly begging to see it, but once they do, someone’s a hoe.
It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it. Carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude for what’s positive and that it is not worse, rather than the uncomfortable edges of bitterness for the negatives and that it is not better.
You have to be taught to be second class; you’re not born that way.
Don’t be afraid to feel as angry or as loving as you can, because when you feel nothing, it’s just death.
A little nepotism never hurt nobody, honey. If you got it, use it. Press on with it. Remind them of it.
You have to be taught to be second class; you’re not born that way. But the slanting process is so subtle that you frequently don’t realize how you’re being slanted until very late in the game.
I found out along the way that they like you a little imperfect.
Always be smarter than the people who hire you.
Malcolm X made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. He had peace in his heart. He exerted a big influence on me.
You wouldn’t be allowed to get on a particular bus, but you’d be asked to sign your autograph.
I’m not alone, I’m free. I no longer have to be a credit, I don’t have to be a symbol to anybody; I don’t have to be a first to anybody.