I never saw pictures of black people portrayed in a positive vein -- of young black people going to college or buying homes -- until I bought an Ebony magazine.

It was the first publication to show how beautiful black people are. And in color? On the front page? Back then articles about blacks were usually way in the back.

The Black Panther Party was not a gang. They grew out of a young black intelligentsia on college campuses.

It felt great. It's great to be finishing up my season or my college shooting on a positive note, knowing that it's paid off, and I've gained the benefits for it.

I know I got it made while the masses of black people are catchin' hell, but as long as they ain't free, I ain't free.

In vain we chisel, as best we can, the mysterious block of which our life is made, the black vein of destiny reappears continually.