“To divide people based on race, a color, a religion, a sexual orientation, it’s just wrong.”

We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now!

Without prayer, without faith in the Almighty, the civil rights movement would have been like a bird without wings.

Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.

The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in the society.

I would say to a young person: continue to study. Study what is taking place in your community, in your neighborhood, maybe at your school.

Voting is the most powerful nonviolent tool or instrument that we have in a democratic society. And we must use it.

Rioting is not a movement. It is not an act of civil disobedience.

I met Rosa Parks when I was 17. I met Dr. [Martin Luther] King when I was 18. These two individuals inspired me to find a way to get in the way, to get in trouble. So I got in good trouble, necessary trouble.

When people tell me nothing has changed, I say come walk in my shoes and I will show you change.

When growing up, I saw segregation. I saw racial discrimination. I saw those signs that said white men, colored men. White women, colored women. White waiting. And I didn’t like it.

We are one community, one family. Really, we are the American family.

Freedom is not a state; it is an act.

A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few.

We need someone who will stand up and speak up and speak out for the people who need help, for people who are being discriminated against.

Every generation leaves behind a legacy. What that legacy will be is determined by the people of that generation. What legacy do you want to leave behind?

You have to have hope. You have to be optimistic in order to continue to move forward.

For years, ‘Drag Race’ was gay people’s best kept secret. When I started doing drag, people didn’t know anything about it. Look at it now: it’s like it’s gone from black and white to IMAX.

You accuse me of black marketing, but which of you has not slept with me?

Then black despair, The shadow of a starless night, was thrown Over the world in which I moved alone.

I want to be the black and white moment that flashes in front of your eyes, when you hum your favorite tune; your soul song.

I have made my bed In charnels and on coffins, where black death Keeps record of the trophies won.

As a black man, I have to respect myself and have nice things. As a man in general.

We are all somewhere or the other a little grey, not black and white. We have our imperfections.

The howl of self-interest is loud but the heart is black which throbs solely to its note.