--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Back then, there weren’t channels…" description: "\"“Back then, there weren’t channels dedicated to subcategories of the population. There was no Disney channel, no Food Network, no ESPN, no Bravo. There..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/jen-hatmaker-4184_confederate-flag_back-then-there-weren-t-channels-dedicat_2287842.jpg" --- # Back then, there weren’t channels dedicated to… ![“Back then, there weren’t channels dedicated to subcategories of the population. There was no Disney channel, no Food Network, no ESPN, no Bravo. There was Sam Donaldson, Peter Jennings, and, my personal crush, Tom Brokaw on the news, and we got cartoons for three hours on Saturday mornings until…” quote by Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/jen-hatmaker-4184_confederate-flag_back-then-there-weren-t-channels-dedicat_2287842.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/jen-hatmaker-4184_confederate-flag_back-then-there-weren-t-channels-dedicat_2287842.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ec/jen-hatmaker-4184_confederate-flag_back-then-there-weren-t-channels-dedicat_2287842.jpg) > ““Back then, there weren’t channels dedicated to subcategories of the population. There was no Disney channel, no Food Network, no ESPN, no Bravo. There was Sam Donaldson, Peter Jennings, and, my personal crush, Tom Brokaw on the news, and we got cartoons for three hours on Saturday mornings until CBS switched to golf at 11:00 after the Smurfs. Oh sure, MTV hit the scene in 1981, but we couldn’t watch it because of the devil. Apparently we could watch a show starring two outlaw brothers, their half-naked cousin, and a car painted with the Confederate flag but couldn’t watch Madonna sing “Like a Virgin” because we might get secondhand pregnant.”” [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) ## 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 limited TV options and strict content controls of the past with modern niche channels and controversial programming, highlighting cultural shifts in media availability and censorship. **In simple terms:** Past TV was limited and censored; today there are many niche channels and fewer restrictions. Key Takeaway Recognize how media freedom has expanded and its impact on culture. Themes media evolution censorship culture change nostalgia technology television Mood reflective critical nostalgic Type observational commentary historical When to use this quote - family viewing evenings - media policy debates - educational programming - advertising strategies - content creation Key Concepts media studies cultural shift regulation consumer choice Questions to Reflect On - How does increased media choice affect societal cohesion? - What responsibilities do creators have in a less censored environment? A Different Perspective Even with more channels, audience fragmentation can dilute shared cultural experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confederate flag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confederate-flag/) [Food network](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food-network/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/any-customer-can-have-a-car-painted-any-color-that-he-wants-so-long/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [“Our team of specialists is well trained, certified and highly skilled to fix your auto body repair and remove any car dent you may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mission-viejo-auto-collision/our-team-of-specialists-is-well-trained-certified-and-highly-skilled/) Mission Viejo Auto Collision > [you give me fever from miles around ill pick you up in my car and well paint the toown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/you-give-me-fever-from-miles-around-ill-pick-you-up-in-my-car-and/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) > [My foreign car painted flat black. My girl hopped out ass fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waka-flocka-flame/my-foreign-car-painted-flat-black-my-girl-hopped-out-ass-fat/) [Waka Flocka Flame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/waka-flocka-flame/) > [Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/any-customer-can-have-a-car-painted-any-colour-that-he-wants-so-long/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [“Therefore in 1909 I announced one morning, without any previous warning, that in the future we were going to build only one model, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/therefore-in-1909-i-announced-one-morning-without-any-previous/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [At the beginning of 'The Hills,' I couldn't watch myself because I'm very critical and would pick myself to pieces. But with movies I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrina-patridge/at-the-beginning-of-the-hills-i-couldn-t-watch-myself-because-i-m/) [Audrina Patridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrina-patridge/) > [When I was growing up, you couldn't watch soccer on TV. But now, you can get it on every channel, every hour of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-foudy/when-i-was-growing-up-you-couldn-t-watch-soccer-on-tv-but-now-you-can/) [Julie Foudy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-foudy/) > [When I was growing up, my mom didn't let me watch a lot of TV. She said I couldn't watch 'Friends' or that era…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/when-i-was-growing-up-my-mom-didn-t-let-me-watch-a-lot-of-tv-she-said/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [I couldn't watch Tom and Jerry. The cruelty was too much. I had all these strange images, of tiny animals, all mixed up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-walters/i-couldn-t-watch-tom-and-jerry-the-cruelty-was-too-much-i-had-all/) [Julie Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-walters/) > [I take pride in being one of the tougher guys helping the team pressure and there were so many times when I was watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alecko-eskandarian/i-take-pride-in-being-one-of-the-tougher-guys-helping-the-team/) Alecko Eskandarian > [For a long time I couldn't even watch tennis on TV because I missed it too much. I was bitter and upset because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-soderling/for-a-long-time-i-couldn-t-even-watch-tennis-on-tv-because-i-missed/) [Robin Soderling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-soderling/) > [I couldn't watch 'BP' for a long time, until I started doing this job, because I knew in my heart that 'Blue Planet,' as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-lewis/i-couldn-t-watch-bp-for-a-long-time-until-i-started-doing-this-job/) [Clive Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-lewis/) > [I mean this sincerely... and I don't know why, but there was a period of time that for some reason, whenever 'Charles in Charge'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-finkel/i-mean-this-sincerely-and-i-don-t-know-why-but-there-was-a-period-of/) [Dave Finkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-finkel/) > [I couldn't watch '101 Dalmatians' when I was, like, nine because Cruella was too scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samara-weaving/i-couldn-t-watch-101-dalmatians-when-i-was-like-nine-because-cruella/) [Samara Weaving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samara-weaving/) ## More by Jen Hatmaker > [“...when the exhaustive exegesis of God's Word doesn't create people transformed into the image of Jesus, we have missed the forest for the trees.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/when-the-exhaustive-exegesis-of-god-s-word-doesn-t-create-people/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [We cannot carry the gospel to the poor and lowly while emulating the practices of the rich and powerful. We’ve been invited into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/we-cannot-carry-the-gospel-to-the-poor-and-lowly-while-emulating-the/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Desperately wanting God's kingdom to come, we lead with the law, like a sixteen-year-old girl who thought a Bible on a desk corner would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/desperately-wanting-god-s-kingdom-to-come-we-lead-with-the-law-like-a/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Simply speaking truth out loud is healing in and of itself. When people courageously voice a true, hard thing, they’ve already stolen some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/simply-speaking-truth-out-loud-is-healing-in-and-of-itself-when/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Jesus operates beyond the tidy boundaries of good behavior. Rather than simply enforce His rules, we should show our kids His kingdom. That’s where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/jesus-operates-beyond-the-tidy-boundaries-of-good-behavior-rather/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Flatten your feet, because nothing in your life is too dead for resurrection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/flatten-your-feet-because-nothing-in-your-life-is-too-dead-for/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Maybe it’s my tattoos talking, but this is my favorite missional mandate. Because the perception of Christians as self-righteous segregationists is so prevailing, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/maybe-it-s-my-tattoos-talking-but-this-is-my-favorite-missional/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“It is incredibly tempting to disparage people who didn’t “change” with us. I have criticized the words of others when the same words came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/it-is-incredibly-tempting-to-disparage-people-who-didn-t-change-with/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“We don't see the New Testament church hoarding the feast for themselves, gorging, getting fatter and fatter and asking for more; more bible studies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/we-don-t-see-the-new-testament-church-hoarding-the-feast-for/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“believe You’re my healer. I believe You are all I need. I believe You’re my portion. I believe You’re more than enough for me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/believe-you-re-my-healer-i-believe-you-are-all-i-need-i-believe-you/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [Faith does not always demand that God explains Himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/faith-does-not-always-demand-that-god-explains-himself/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Love refuses to deny or dismantle another’s perspective simply because I don’t share it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/love-refuses-to-deny-or-dismantle-another-s-perspective-simply/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“I've discovered reduced consumption doesn't equal reduced community or reduced contentment. There is something liberating about unplugging the machine to discover the heartbeat of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/i-ve-discovered-reduced-consumption-doesn-t-equal-reduced-community/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Cooking dinner is a sacred gateway from work to rest, from seven separate lives to one shared table.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/cooking-dinner-is-a-sacred-gateway-from-work-to-rest-from-seven/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“The boys organized air-soft gun wars, so eight sweaty, stinky boys are running through my house wielding semiautomatic pellet guns dressed in sweatshirts though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/the-boys-organized-air-soft-gun-wars-so-eight-sweaty-stinky-boys-are/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) [Explore all 114 Jen Hatmaker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) ## More Confederate flag quotes > [South Carolina, as a matter of compromise, displays the Confederate flag on a flagpole in front of the state capitol. Because I grew up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edwards/south-carolina-as-a-matter-of-compromise-displays-the-confederate/) [John Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edwards/) > [“...screaming about your rights as an American while rockin' the confederate flag is like arguing against gay marriage with a dick in your mouth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trae-crowder/screaming-about-your-rights-as-an-american-while-rockin-the/) [Trae Crowder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trae-crowder/) > [What I’m talking about is more than recompense for past injustices—more than a handout, a payoff, hush money, or a reluctant bribe. What I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/what-i-m-talking-about-is-more-than-recompense-for-past-injustices/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [Its foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-h-stephens/its-foundations-are-laid-its-cornerstone-rests-upon-the-great-truth/) [Alexander H. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-h-stephens/) > [ It's time for the \[Confederate\] Flag to come down, because it just doesn't represent who we are as a people, as Americans anymore. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-hunter/it-s-time-for-the-confederate-flag-to-come-down-because-it-just-doesn/) Jack Hunter > [“Yes, my friends, your hunger for history is still pretty segregated. Your knowledge of America often ends at the color line. You end up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/yes-my-friends-your-hunger-for-history-is-still-pretty-segregated/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [In South Carolina, the Confederate flag flies high on countless flagpoles. Those who defend this practice by saying it is part of Southern culture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-schlossberg/in-south-carolina-the-confederate-flag-flies-high-on-countless/) [Jack Schlossberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-schlossberg/) > [It's hard when the worst people in the country are cheering, the people with the confederate flag, the people that do anti-Semitism on Twitter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gerson/it-s-hard-when-the-worst-people-in-the-country-are-cheering-the/) [Michael Gerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gerson/) > [I live in the South; there are Confederate flags everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-live-in-the-south-there-are-confederate-flags-everywhere/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [“When Ben unfurls the T-shirts, there are two small problems. First, it turns out that a large T-shirt in a Georgia gas station is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/when-ben-unfurls-the-t-shirts-there-are-two-small-problems-first-it/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [ I heard someone say that concern over the \[Confederate\] Flag is sensitivity to micro-aggressions, to which my response is to say that kidnapping and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-d-moore/i-heard-someone-say-that-concern-over-the-confederate-flag-is/) [Russell D. Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-d-moore/) > [Germany has spent the decades since World War II in national penance for Nazi crimes. America spent the decades after the Civil War transforming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/germany-has-spent-the-decades-since-world-war-ii-in-national-penance/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [Anyone who says the Confederate Flag is a symbol of hate should be required to go to sensitivity training classes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezola-b-foster/anyone-who-says-the-confederate-flag-is-a-symbol-of-hate-should-be/) Ezola B. Foster > [The only reason we used the Confederate flag was just because we were from the South, and we were proud of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-rossington/the-only-reason-we-used-the-confederate-flag-was-just-because-we-were/) [Gary Rossington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-rossington/) > [I am not in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-not-in-favor-of-making-voters-or-jurors-of-negroes-nor-of/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Browse all 65 Confederate flag quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confederate-flag/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Back then, there weren’t channels dedicated to subcategories of the population. There was no Disney channel, no Food Network, no ESPN, no Bravo. 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