43 Quotes by Countee Cullen

Not for myself I make this prayer, But for this race of mine That stretches forth from shadowed places Dark hands for bread and wine.

[W]e have always resented the natural inclination of most white people to demand spirituals the moment it is known that a Negro is about to sing. So often the request has seemed to savor of the feeling that we could do this and this alone.

Yet do I marvel at this curious thing:/ To make a poet black, and bid him sing!

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

Dame Poverty gave me my name, And Pain godfathered me.

We shall not always plant while others reap

My poetry has become the way of my giving out what music is within me.

The key to all strange things is in thy heart..../ My spirit has come home, that sailed the doubtful seas.

The truth is... everything counts. Everything. Everything we do and everything we say. Everything helps or hurts; everything adds to or takes away from someone else.