Paul Robeson once said that the artist has the responsibility to either help liberate the community or further oppress it. And I think that when Eldridge Cleaver wrote it down it was interpreted as his, but there's a history of… — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share Image
Oftentimes, the way it seems to be is that our artists in particular point themselves out as spokesmen for a certain constituency in a… — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
I was one of the first three black students to go to an all-white school in Tennessee. — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
A good poet feels what his community feels. Like if you stub your toe, the rest of your body hurts. — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
I find it not just strange but almost ridiculous that people could take a song like the one I was doing and interpret it… — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
Womenfolk raised me and I was full-grown before I knew I came from a broken home — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
If you aren't having no fun, die, because you're running a worthless program, far as I'm concerned. — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
I have a novel that I can write. It's about three soldiers from Somalia. Some babies have been disappearing up on 144th Street, and… — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
I work hard at it [delivery of lyrics], just like I worked hard at getting my masters degree. It's not just something I sit… — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
Your life has to consist of more than 'Black people should unite.' You hope they do, but not twenty-four hours a day. — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
You know what has made me the happiest I've ever been? Seeing my son and daughter graduate from college. More than wanting them to… — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
I've always had questions about what it meant to be a protester, to be in the minority. Are the people who are trying to… — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
I think a whole lot of stuff gets by people - I could name half a dozen groups that do songs that are openly… — Gil Scott-Heron Copy Share
