My biggest fear is that a paparazzi or someone. . . is going to come in my backyard and see me when I get in my pool. That would be very unfortunate.
They should regard me as what I am. I am a spiritual leader and teacher.
A wise man who has the moment in his hand should not let that moment slip.
White people are getting more and more angry every day, Donald Trump was elected that the mask of civility - like an onion peeling - is being peeled off. Now naked hatred, not only in word but in deed, is being openly shown to us.
The Honorable Elijah Muhammad said when the children of Israel rebelled against Moses and Aaron and did not want to leave their slavemaster to build an independent nation of their own under the guidance of God, God chastised them with fiery serpents and cockatrices. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad asked me one day, "do you know what it means fiery serpents"? I said, "no sir. " He said, "It means angry White people. "
And I hope that five years and 10 years from now, I'll be a better man, a more mature man, a wiser man, a more humble man and a more spirited man to serve the good of my people and the good of humanity.
Black leadership has to recognize that principles more than speech, character more than a claim, is greater in advancing the cause of our liberation than what has transpired thus far.
I was raised on The Beatles. I loved Led Zeppelin growing up. Judy Garland. Doris Day. That's where things began. I took a lot from the '60s and maybe from the '40s or '50s as well.
The arts give us our identity as a community; they also draw new people, fresh visions, and renewable economic opportunity to our community.
You can be smart and happy or stupid and miserable. . . it's your choice
I've always admired your rather formidable will, your refusal to back away from difficulties, but sometimes strength isn't about perseverance. Sometimes it's about knowing when to quit.