“I disconnected myself to shield myself from people who would sway to my songs in the club and call me 'nigger' in the street. They were too busy seeing their own preconceived image of a Negro woman. the image that… — Lena Horne Copy Share Image
It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. Carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude for what's… — Lena Horne Copy Share
Nobody black or white who really believes in democracy can stand aside now; everybody's got to stand up and be counted. — Lena Horne Copy Share
I'm not a career kind of person. When I saw new music, new trends coming in, I didn't see any place for me. And… — Lena Horne Copy Share
Malcolm X made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. He had peace in his heart.… — Lena Horne Copy Share
Don't be afraid to feel as angry or as loving as you can, because when you feel nothing, it's just death. — Lena Horne Copy Share
I learned from Ethel Waters, Duke Ellington, Adelaide Hall, the Nicholas Brothers, the whole thing, the whole schmear. [The Cotton Club] was a great… — Lena Horne Copy Share
I want to sing like Aretha Franklin. Before her I wanted the technical ability of Ella Fitzgerald. — Lena Horne Copy Share
After I got over the terrible pain of having something of mine taken from me, I began to think how bad everybody else must… — Lena Horne Copy Share
A little nepotism never hurt nobody, honey. If you got it, use it. Press on with it. Remind them of it. — Lena Horne Copy Share