“I would say if you are familiar with our history and the history of our art and literature that you see a clear cut pattern of people wanting to contribute, not only artistically, but in some practical purpose, for the benefits of the community.” PeopleIfsArtPurposeLiteratureCommunityClearCuttingBenefitsPatternsPracticalsFamiliar Author:Gil Scott-Heron
“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 people saying things of that nature and meaning it. And what I do is in that tradition, in that mode.” PeopleThinkingSaidHelpingArtistCommunityResponsibilityTraditionCleaver Author:Gil Scott-Heron
“I don't suspect that in many instances the artists who are dedicated in that fashion to the progress of that community are as well protected by the community as might be necessary.” WellsMightArtistCommunityProgressFashionInstanceSuspectsDedicatedProtected Author:Gil Scott-Heron
“Oftentimes, the way it seems to be is that our artists in particular point themselves out as spokesmen for a certain constituency in a community, and thereby place themselves in that vulnerable position.” WaySeemsArtistCertainCommunityPositionParticularVulnerable Author:Gil Scott-Heron
“I think that the more people who speak out, and say things and take stands on positions that will better our community, the better off each and every other individual artist or otherwise, will be.” PeopleThinkingArtistIndividualSpeakCommunityPositionBetter OffOur CommunitySpeaks Out Author:Gil Scott-Heron
“We understand what the difference is between what we understand and what the community understands about what we're doing because they have supported us long enough for me to stay out here, while other people who are doing other things have not. A lot of people have trouble pinning down what it is we do and how. But we don't have any trouble with that. As long as that's their problem, it's their problem.” PeopleLongEnoughProblemCommunityDifferencesTrouble Author:Gil Scott-Heron
“A good poet feels what his community feels. Like if you stub your toe, the rest of your body hurts.” IfsFeelsBodyCommunityHurtPoetYour BodyToes Author:Gil Scott-Heron
