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After I got over the terrible pain of having something of mine taken from me, I began to think how bad everybody else must be feeling. It wasn't a nice time.
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50 years old is like springtime to me.
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I'm not a career kind of person. When I saw new music, new trends coming in, I didn't see any place for me. And I didn't think about it as a career loss, because I was married - I have a great- grandchild now. The low points were when I lost people that I really cared about.
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I want to sing like Aretha Franklin. Before her I wanted the technical ability of Ella Fitzgerald.
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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.
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I'm still learning, you know. At 80, I feel there is a lot I don't know.
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Don't be afraid to feel as angry or as loving as you can, because when you feel nothing, it's just death.
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I found out along the way that they like you a little imperfect.
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I've seen so much. And I've heard so many great performers. There are performers now that couldn't work back in the days when I came along.
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I thought of singing and acting as a living-making. I was able to take care of myself and a few of my friends.
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Nobody black or white who really believes in democracy can stand aside now; everybody's got to stand up and be counted.
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Malcolm X raised my consciousness about myself and my people and other people more than any person I know. I knew him before he became Malcolm X.
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As much as I try, when I open my mouth, Lena comes out, And I get so mad.
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It's so nice to get flowers while you can still smell the fragrance.