“No matter how far those dreams have taken me, I have always remembered, I’m the daughter of a small-business owner and the granddaughter of a factory worker — and proud of both.”

“The thing is that the people of Pakistan have supported me. They don't think of me as Western. I am a daughter of Pakistan and I am proud that I am a Pakistani.”

“I’m proud of young black america. I’m proud of them, even if they are misunderstood. I’m proud of them for using their voices, their way. Racism, classism, fear, it all exists. Still. It’s here, embedded into the fibers of our society. But I have to be honest, I do believe that because of technology, no matter how problematic it can be, and the rapid spreading of information, I’d like to believe there is a slow awakening occurring, and that our babies, or at least the generation after them will have a very different reality here. I know my role is to do what so many have done before me in this tradition — tell the stories, unashamed and unafraid.”

“I have always held those political opinions which point to the universal brotherhood of man, no matter in what rank of life he may have taken his origin”

“No matter how far apart we are,
don't forget that we're
still under the same sky,
both traveling to the place
we once dreamed of.”

“Remember, no matter how dark the night, there is always a happy ending. But first, you have to make it through the night.”

“We are friends for life. When we’re together the years fall away. Isn’t that what matters? To have someone who can remember with you? To have someone who remembers how far you’ve come?”

“I don't look myself as an artist, but as a hard-worker musician. And to be honest, a soft hard-worker, as hard-worker is the one at the factories, harbours. But I always say that I look myself as one of them.”

“I have always taken the art of the ancient Egyptians as my model, even in purely technical matters.”

“I profess not to know how women's hearts are wooed and won. To me they have always been matters of riddle and admiration.”