It’s the same old story. Nothing in this world happens unless white folks says it happens. And therein lies the problem of being a professional black storyteller – writer, musician, filmmaker. – James McBride
Atticus Finch is, you know, he was just his whole – the business of his modesty and his ability to see tomorrow and to try to buttress his knowledge of what was coming for his kids was something that I’ll never – as a father I’m not able to do. – James McBride
The abolitionists were not like the rugged people out West, and they were not like John Brown, either. They were people who made speeches and did politics. – James McBride
I grew up in a house with a lot of kids, brothers and sisters. So I don’t mind a lot of talking, yelling, playing. I can tune most of that out. – James McBride
I’m proud of ‘Miracle at St. Anna’ and I loved it; there’s no question in my mind it’s as good as any movie that came out in 2007. – James McBride
The whole notion of owning a person is so ludicrous, there’s plenty of room to make fun. – James McBride
The starting point of all great jazz has got to be format, a language that you can work within that, in some ways, is much tighter than the blues or even gospel. It’s all working towards the same destination – the difference being that Miles Davis flew there, and I’m still taking the subway. – James McBride
James Brown was the Monday-to-Friday guy. He was the hardest man in show business. He was like your dad and your uncle: He showed up, and he hit hard. – James McBride
I write stories that are already in the air, and I think it’s important to have the correct listening device to tune in to that frequency. – James McBride
If you don’t have humor, you’re not going to make it. You’re going to be one of those people who walks around with your head about to explode. – James McBride
The hard part about writing about a guy like John Brown is that he was so serious, and his cause was so serious, that most of what’s been written about him is really serious and, in my opinion, a little bit boring. – James McBride
When we’re talking about slavery… we’re really talking about the web of relationships that exists between whites and blacks from 1619 to 1865 to now. – James McBride
People don’t realize you’re blowing over changes, time changes, harmony, different keys. I mark a point in my solo where it’s got to peak at point D I go to A, B, C D then I’m home. – James McBride
It would be nice if we redefined what we meant by ‘war story.’ If you’re making $15,000 a year living in a certain area of Portland, trying to make it with three kids and no husband, that’s a kind of war. – James McBride
If you can whistle the melody, then the song will stick. But if you need a bunch of machines to make it sound good, you’re probably not writing anything that’s going to last a long time. – James McBride
If you meet your heroes, you’re always going to be disappointed. Frederick Douglass was a great man, but would I want my daughter to marry him? Probably not. That doesn’t mean that I don’t think he’s a great man. – James McBride
I like stories where normal people are in abnormal situations, and that’s what appeals to me about history. – James McBride
You can play Mozart all you want and pretend that it gives you class, but what is class, you know? Class is a bus driver on the M103 who gets off the bus to help somebody on board even though he’s tired, he’s exhausted, and he’s two months behind on his mortgage. That’s real class. – James McBride
Fiction makes your dreams come true, and, as a writer, fiction allows you to delve into the area of miracles. – James McBride
I don’t like living around too many fancy-pantsy folks. That ain’t my thing. I’m not into phony people. – James McBride
I’m trying to get Americans to see that we’re all pretty much the same. I believe it; I was taught God doesn’t have a color. I want to better the planet a little bit. – James McBride
I wish all critics, no matter their color, were more sophisticated when it comes to the moral questions a film like ‘St. Anna’ is trying to raise. – James McBride