You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way. But the slanting process is so subtle that you frequently don't realize how you're being slanted until very late in the game. Lena Horne More Quotes by Lena Horne More Quotes From Lena Horne 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 positive and that it is not worse, rather than the uncomfortable edges of bitterness for the negatives and that it is not better. Lena Horne bitterness gratitude way The naked female body is treated so weirdly in society. It's like people are constantly begging to see it, but once they do, someone's a hoe. Lena Horne women hypocrite attitude 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 feelings inspiring love I was unique in that I was a kind of black that white people could accept. I was their daydream. I had the worst kind of acceptance because it was never for how great I was or what I contributed. It was because of the way I looked. Lena Horne unique acceptance white I'm me, and I'm like nobody else. Lena Horne Nobody black or white who really believes in democracy can stand aside now; everybody's got to stand up and be counted. Lena Horne black white believe The best thing about living... Is the chance to keep on doing it! Lena Horne best-things chance You wouldn't be allowed to get on a particular bus, but you'd be asked to sign your autograph. Lena Horne bus autographs particular My identity is very clear to me now, I am a black woman. Lena Horne black-women black identity You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way. Lena Horne african-american class way I don't have to be an imitation of a white woman that Hollywood sort of hoped I'd become. I'm me, and I'm like nobody else. Lena Horne afterlife hollywood white Always be smarter than the people who hire you. Lena Horne work inspiring people I found out along the way that they like you a little imperfect. Lena Horne imperfect littles way A little nepotism never hurt nobody, honey. If you got it, use it. Press on with it. Remind them of it. Lena Horne use hurt littles Malcolm X made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. He had peace in his heart. He exerted a big influence on me. Lena Horne influence strong heart music became my refuge and then my salvation. Lena Horne music-is salvation music I'm not alone, I'm free. I no longer have to be a credit, I don't have to be a symbol to anybody; I don't have to be a first to anybody. Lena Horne symbols credit firsts I'm still learning, you know. At 80, I feel there is a lot I don't know. Lena Horne stills knows feels I learned from Ethel Waters, Duke Ellington, Adelaide Hall, the Nicholas Brothers, the whole thing, the whole schmear. [The Cotton Club] was a great place because it hired us, for one thing, at a time when it was really rough [for Black performers]. Lena Horne black brother water Every color I can think of and nationality, we were all touched by Dr. King because he made us like each other and respect each other. Lena Horne color kings thinking
