What we called ourselves in 1944 - colored or Negro - we don't do anymore. Where we are now is not where we were then. It's very important for young people to understand that.

When I was born, I was colored. I soon became a Negro. Not long after that I was black. Most recently I was African-American. It seems we're on a roll here. But I am still first and foremost in search of freedom.

If I am going to be a poet at all, I am going to be POET and not NEGRO POET.

The person you called could not hear everything that you said. The audio was unclear. We want to get it right. Call us back so that we can clearly understand.

the so-called ‘Negro dialect’ is simply a variation on the ordinary Southern accent.

It was much worse than the so-called negro. It's about a triple form of discrimination -race, language and culture.