--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a kid, I felt I had it bad - and…" description: "\"As a kid, I felt I had it bad - and people where I came from did - but if I'd been in a similar position in America, it could've been 10 times worse. W..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/dizzee-rascal-3150_america_as-a-kid-i-felt-i-had-it-bad-and-people_1980615.jpg" --- # As a kid, I felt I had it bad - and people where I came… ![“As a kid, I felt I had it bad - and people where I came from did - but if I'd been in a similar position in America, it could've been 10 times worse. We have the NHS. We don't have slums like I've seen in the Deep south, or shocking intolerance.” quote by Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/dizzee-rascal-3150_america_as-a-kid-i-felt-i-had-it-bad-and-people_1980615.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/dizzee-rascal-3150_america_as-a-kid-i-felt-i-had-it-bad-and-people_1980615.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/317/dizzee-rascal-3150_america_as-a-kid-i-felt-i-had-it-bad-and-people_1980615.jpg) > “As a kid, I felt I had it bad - and people where I came from did - but if I'd been in a similar position in America, it could've been 10 times worse. We have the NHS. We don't have slums like I've seen in the Deep south, or shocking intolerance.” [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker contrasts their own hardships with those faced by people in poorer regions, highlighting that even in a relatively better system, challenges exist, but they are less severe than in places lacking basic services and tolerance. **In simple terms:** Even with problems, life here is better than in places without healthcare or tolerance. Key Takeaway Appreciate and protect existing social safety nets. Themes social inequality healthcare tolerance comparative hardship Mood reflective concerned Type analytical commentary When to use this quote - policy debates - community health planning - personal reflection on privilege - advocacy for better services Key Concepts social safety nets public health cultural tolerance Questions to Reflect On - How does your own experience shape your view of inequality? - What can be done to improve conditions for those still struggling? A Different Perspective The perspective may overlook systemic issues that still affect many within the speaker's own society. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [If we're saying there are incidents of oppression in this country, systematically or individually in this country, I don't think saying, 'Well, in country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-long/if-we-re-saying-there-are-incidents-of-oppression-in-this-country/) [Chris Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-long/) > [To the best of my knowledge and belief, the average American newspaper, even of the so-called better sort, is not only quite as bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/to-the-best-of-my-knowledge-and-belief-the-average-american-newspaper-2/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [I remember realising when I was 31, 'Oh my God, I'm not a girl any more.' And then it gets a thousand times worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-redman/i-remember-realising-when-i-was-31-oh-my-god-i-m-not-a-girl-any-more/) [Amanda Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-redman/) > [People can change, but so many times, it is for the worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-kreger/people-can-change-but-so-many-times-it-is-for-the-worse/) [David Kreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kreger/) > [Real patriotism is realizing America sucks, but everywhere else is a thousand times worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-tosh/real-patriotism-is-realizing-america-sucks-but-everywhere-else-is-a/) [Daniel Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-tosh/) > [I think health-wise, pro-wrestling is probably ten times worse for you than MMA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cm-punk/i-think-health-wise-pro-wrestling-is-probably-ten-times-worse-for-you/) [CM Punk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cm-punk/) > [To the best of my knowledge and belief, the average American newspaper, even of the so-called better sort, is not only quite as bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/to-the-best-of-my-knowledge-and-belief-the-average-american-newspaper/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Simple fact: if you ever hurt me…you get it back 10 times worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asli/simple-fact-if-you-ever-hurt-me-you-get-it-back-10-times-worse/) [Asli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asli/) > [Men are a hundred times worse than you can imagine. We are thinking the worst, shallowest thoughts, all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-strauss/men-are-a-hundred-times-worse-than-you-can-imagine-we-are-thinking/) [Neil Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-strauss/) > [Gross ignorance is 144 times worse than ordinary ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bennett-cerf/gross-ignorance-is-144-times-worse-than-ordinary-ignorance/) [Bennett Cerf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bennett-cerf/) > [There are journalists who are drawn to the most extroverted, aggressive jobs because they get an ego high from it. It can be shocking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rachman/there-are-journalists-who-are-drawn-to-the-most-extroverted/) [Tom Rachman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-rachman/) > [“Professor felt bad about Ms. Bones getting her head knocked off by one of his Pixelmon. When”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zack-zombie/professor-felt-bad-about-ms-bones-getting-her-head-knocked-off-by-one/) [Zack Zombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zack-zombie/) > [I felt bad about myself because certain people were relentlessly attacking me and my reputation. My mom kept saying 'Let it go, Lauren, It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-conrad/i-felt-bad-about-myself-because-certain-people-were-relentlessly/) [Lauren Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-conrad/) > [At first he thought he felt bad because he was afraid of leading an army, but it wasn't true. He knew he'd make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/at-first-he-thought-he-felt-bad-because-he-was-afraid-of-leading-an/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [“There's the old saying "I felt bad because I didn't have a pair of shoes until I met a man who didn't have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-the-old-saying-i-felt-bad-because-i-didn-t-have-a-pair-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Dizzee Rascal > [I sometimes think I should write a book. I've seen some things, you know, but it's all there in the songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/i-sometimes-think-i-should-write-a-book-i-ve-seen-some-things-you/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [I grew up on the pirate radio scene which started out as drum 'n' bass music. U.K. garage picked up and got bigger on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/i-grew-up-on-the-pirate-radio-scene-which-started-out-as-drum-n-bass/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [London's where I grew up and had most of my experiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/london-s-where-i-grew-up-and-had-most-of-my-experiences/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [Kids need to be taught that your dreams aren't just dreams. Whatever they are, it's OK to push for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/kids-need-to-be-taught-that-your-dreams-aren-t-just-dreams-whatever/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [I'm not afraid to embrace different music and different culture and put it in the music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/i-m-not-afraid-to-embrace-different-music-and-different-culture-and/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [Rappers and MCs have always had an alias. Building your character, it helps you to get things out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/rappers-and-mcs-have-always-had-an-alias-building-your-character-it/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [Other than my Instagram - very recently - I'm not out there. I'm not in the papers every week, I've managed to curb all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/other-than-my-instagram-very-recently-i-m-not-out-there-i-m-not-in/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [I just think I'm free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/i-just-think-i-m-free/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [If you believe, you can achieve, innit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/if-you-believe-you-can-achieve-innit/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [I'd done plenty of dark stuff and edgy stuff and hardcore stuff, and I kind of found that stuff easy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/i-d-done-plenty-of-dark-stuff-and-edgy-stuff-and-hardcore-stuff-and-i/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [I'll never run out of things to rap about. Sometimes you sit there and think, 'I can't do it, I can't do it.' Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/i-ll-never-run-out-of-things-to-rap-about-sometimes-you-sit-there-and/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [The name Dirtee Stank came from a lyric I had when I was 17 or 16. Lyrical tank, like my name was Frank, going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/the-name-dirtee-stank-came-from-a-lyric-i-had-when-i-was-17-or-16/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [People used to shoot their guns while I was MCing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/people-used-to-shoot-their-guns-while-i-was-mcing/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [I'm not that guy in the suit, speaking the Queen's English. I don't need to be. I've done enough. I can go on 'Newsnight'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/i-m-not-that-guy-in-the-suit-speaking-the-queen-s-english-i-don-t/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) > [I don't really class myself as a musician, I can make music but I'm not the greatest technically. There were other people who were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzee-rascal/i-don-t-really-class-myself-as-a-musician-i-can-make-music-but-i-m/) [Dizzee Rascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) [Explore all 138 Dizzee Rascal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzee-rascal/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a kid, I felt I had it bad - and people where I came from did - but if I'd been in a similar position in America, it could've been 10 times worse. We have the NHS. 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