“From his roots as a slave, the American Negro - sometimes sorrowing, s...” — Alvin Ailey Quote

“From his roots as a slave, the American Negro - sometimes sorrowing, sometimes jubilant but always hopeful - has touched, illuminated, and influenced the most remote preserves of world civilisation. I and my dance theater celebrate this trembling beauty.”

“Racism tears down your insides so that no matter what you achieve, you're not quite up to snuff.”

“I'm attracted to long-legged girls with long arms and a little head.”

“Take care of your inner, spiritual beauty. That will reflect in your face.”

“If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.”

“Editing yourself is like an irksome coin toss. You've got to strip yourself of super ego and operate from the id. Maybe I've got my Freud mixed up. It's just hard to trade a beauty shot for the performance with truth and a brightly lit zit.”