Artists Are The Gatekeepers Of Truth.

I Stand Here Struggling For The Rights Of My People To Be Full Citizens In This Country. They Are Not-in Mississippi. They Are Not-in Montgomery. That Is Why I Am Here Today. . . . You Want To Shut Up Every Colored Person Who Wants To Fight For The Rights Of His People!.

I Know That If The Peace Movement Takes Its Message Boldly To The Negro People A Powerful Force Can Be Secured In Pursuit Of The Greatest Goal Of All Mankind. And The Same Is True Of Labor And The Great Democratic Sections Of Our Population.

I've Learned That My People Are Not The Only Ones Oppressed... I Have Sung My Songs All Over The World And Everywhere Found That Some Common Bond Makes The People Of All Lands Take To Negro Songs As Their Own.

You Know I Am An Actor, And I Have Medals For Diction.

My Father Was A Slave And My People Died To Build This Country And I Am Going To Stay Here And Have A Part Of It Just Like You.