--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Certainly as a kid, I grew up with…" description: "\"Certainly as a kid, I grew up with Batman, Superman, whoever - they didn't need to be black for me to relate to them. But when a character like Cyborg ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/460/john-ridley-4100_along_certainly-as-a-kid-i-grew-up-with-batman_659784.jpg" --- # Certainly as a kid, I grew up with Batman, Superman… ![“Certainly as a kid, I grew up with Batman, Superman, whoever - they didn't need to be black for me to relate to them. But when a character like Cyborg came along, I got excited, because he looked a little bit more like me; his experiences were a little bit more like mine.” quote by John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/460/john-ridley-4100_along_certainly-as-a-kid-i-grew-up-with-batman_659784.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/460/john-ridley-4100_along_certainly-as-a-kid-i-grew-up-with-batman_659784.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/460/john-ridley-4100_along_certainly-as-a-kid-i-grew-up-with-batman_659784.jpg) > “Certainly as a kid, I grew up with Batman, Superman, whoever - they didn't need to be black for me to relate to them. But when a character like Cyborg came along, I got excited, because he looked a little bit more like me; his experiences were a little bit more like mine.” [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing a hero who shares your identity boosts confidence and sense of belonging. **In simple terms:** Representation matters for self‑esteem. Key Takeaway Seek diverse role models. Themes identity representation confidence Mood inspired hopeful Type reflective motivational When to use this quote - youth development - media consumption - community building Key Concepts cultural visibility media influence Questions to Reflect On - How does seeing yourself reflected in media affect your aspirations? - What other areas need more representation? A Different Perspective Only one character may not change systemic bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Along](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/along/) [Batman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/batman/) [Because](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) [Bit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bit/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Came](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/came/) [Certainly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certainly/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Cyborg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cyborg/) [Cyborg Came](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cyborg-came-5259252/) [Excited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excited/) [Experiences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experiences/) [Got](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/got/) [Grew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grew/) [Grew Batman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grew-batman-5259253/) [He](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he/) [His](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/his/) [Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kid/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Like Cyborg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-cyborg-5259251/) [Little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little/) [Little bit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-bit/) [Looked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looked/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Mine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mine/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need/) [Relate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relate/) [Relate Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relate-character-561230/) [Superman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superman/) [Them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/them/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Were](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/were/) [Whoever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whoever/) ## Related quotes > [I just always want to play people. I don't want it to be necessarily that you relate to the character as female or male,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-just-always-want-to-play-people-i-don-t-want-it-to-be-necessarily/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [I guess it's one thing to play a character and relate to a character, and it's a lot closer to me than people might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hailee-steinfeld/i-guess-it-s-one-thing-to-play-a-character-and-relate-to-a-character/) [Hailee Steinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hailee-steinfeld/) > [While it is challenging working with a kid, because they're so of the moment all the time. My acting style is to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyra-sedgwick/while-it-is-challenging-working-with-a-kid-because-they-re-so-of-the/) [Kyra Sedgwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyra-sedgwick/) > [In Jarasandha,' I can relate to my character pretty well, considering it is about a progressive and smart girl. She is a small time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pranitha-subhash/in-jarasandha-i-can-relate-to-my-character-pretty-well-considering-it/) [Pranitha Subhash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pranitha-subhash/) > [I feel like there are things I can relate to in every character. But I feel like when you read a script, you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-starr/i-feel-like-there-are-things-i-can-relate-to-in-every-character-but-i/) [Martin Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-starr/) > [It is how you approach the role given to you, and how you relate to that character and then how you adapt and gel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajiv-menon/it-is-how-you-approach-the-role-given-to-you-and-how-you-relate-to/) [Rajiv Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajiv-menon/) > [Because I relate to the character a lot, my personality has changed after playing the role of Kang Dong-goo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-je-hoon/because-i-relate-to-the-character-a-lot-my-personality-has-changed/) [Lee Je-hoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-je-hoon/) > [I tend to relate to a character in terms of the arc: what's interesting is where he starts versus where he ends up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/i-tend-to-relate-to-a-character-in-terms-of-the-arc-what-s/) [Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/) > [I really felt good after working in a film like 'Piku,' as many people could relate to my character. I got letters from my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amitabh-bachchan/i-really-felt-good-after-working-in-a-film-like-piku-as-many-people/) [Amitabh Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amitabh-bachchan/) > [I can obviously relate to a character who is an artist, because the creative process is a big part of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/i-can-obviously-relate-to-a-character-who-is-an-artist-because-the/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [If I'm reading a script, and I'm not buying it, I need to be able to relate to the character on some level, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-culkin/if-i-m-reading-a-script-and-i-m-not-buying-it-i-need-to-be-able-to/) [Rory Culkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-culkin/) > [You relate to a character and you find that character within yourself. It's all parts of me. I don't leave characters behind. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sissy-spacek/you-relate-to-a-character-and-you-find-that-character-within-yourself/) [Sissy Spacek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sissy-spacek/) > [I always want the audience to identify with my character in some way. I mean, sometimes you'll get characters that aren't very identifiable. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liana-liberato/i-always-want-the-audience-to-identify-with-my-character-in-some-way/) [Liana Liberato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liana-liberato/) > [Your job as an actor, I guess, is just to make people relate to the character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/your-job-as-an-actor-i-guess-is-just-to-make-people-relate-to-the/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [I always want the audience to identify with my character in some way. I mean, sometimes you'll get characters that aren't very identifiable. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liana-liberato/i-always-want-the-audience-to-identify-with-my-character-in-some-way-2/) [Liana Liberato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liana-liberato/) ## More by John Ridley > [The hypocrisy and false piety of the deniers aside, the relationships of gays have no effect on heteros. Especially all the heteros who've done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/the-hypocrisy-and-false-piety-of-the-deniers-aside-the-relationships/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [If art is singular expression, then by nature, the best art is controversial. But when art stirs debate for reasons besides its artistic integrity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/if-art-is-singular-expression-then-by-nature-the-best-art-is/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [While most trudge through their days straight-jacketed in the social compact, living for others as much as or more than for themselves, a select…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/while-most-trudge-through-their-days-straight-jacketed-in-the-social/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [Why is it that the very people who have fought so hard and so long for the simple entitlement to love whom they choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/why-is-it-that-the-very-people-who-have-fought-so-hard-and-so-long/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [There are any number of very hard working people in Hollywood who deserve recognition. Mostly its the artisans and crafts persons - the 'below…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/there-are-any-number-of-very-hard-working-people-in-hollywood-who/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [For children, diversity needs to be real and not merely relegated to learning the names of the usual suspects during Black History Month or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/for-children-diversity-needs-to-be-real-and-not-merely-relegated-to/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [Conservative talkers love to throw numbers around: their ratings and their audience size. And to be sure, they have a sizable audience which numbers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/conservative-talkers-love-to-throw-numbers-around-their-ratings-and/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [Just mention the idea of warrantless wiretaps and expect to get hit up with a congressional investigation. But give somebody an avatar and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/just-mention-the-idea-of-warrantless-wiretaps-and-expect-to-get-hit/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [As long as we remain committed to holding high our individuals of supreme finish, others will be inspired to loose themselves of the gravity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/as-long-as-we-remain-committed-to-holding-high-our-individuals-of/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [When people come in the door and they have something, discovering and exploring the character is a real joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/when-people-come-in-the-door-and-they-have-something-discovering-and/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [Fact is, awards shows were never really about recognizing achievement. They were a publicity ploy cooked up in the late 1920s by MGM topper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/fact-is-awards-shows-were-never-really-about-recognizing-achievement/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [I love graphic novels - I love reading them, I enjoyed writing them, I would love to go back and do them again. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/i-love-graphic-novels-i-love-reading-them-i-enjoyed-writing-them-i/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [So, is Hollywood anti-religion? Not in my opinion. But unlike, say, politicians and preachers who talk faith before going off to speak in tongues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/so-is-hollywood-anti-religion-not-in-my-opinion-but-unlike-say/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [I didn't know I was a good director, and I mean that sincerely. I had done a film a long time ago called 'Cold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/i-didn-t-know-i-was-a-good-director-and-i-mean-that-sincerely-i-had/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [Quite simply, quite plainly, just by virtue of his being, Barack Obama is America. The first true American to lead our nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/quite-simply-quite-plainly-just-by-virtue-of-his-being-barack-obama/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) [Explore all 116 John Ridley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) ## More Along quotes > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [Governments follow their people. A great deal has to do with the vision of the leadership of governments. They have a vision, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-khurshid/governments-follow-their-people-a-great-deal-has-to-do-with-the/) [Salman Khurshid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-khurshid/) > [I always like to look for adventure when I go away. I have gone on several horse adventures with my wife - from Guangxi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-gormley/i-always-like-to-look-for-adventure-when-i-go-away-i-have-gone-on/) [Antony Gormley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-gormley/) > [I'd always wanted the show to be more reality based science fiction, something along the lines of The Day the Earth Stood Still, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-gerard/i-d-always-wanted-the-show-to-be-more-reality-based-science-fiction/) [Gil Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-gerard/) > [Each time I think I've created time for myself, along comes a throwback to disrupt my private space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/each-time-i-think-i-ve-created-time-for-myself-along-comes-a/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [Along with a livable wage, many parents are desperate for quality affordable child care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-gillibrand/along-with-a-livable-wage-many-parents-are-desperate-for-quality/) [Kirsten Gillibrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-gillibrand/) > [I get along with everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-get-along-with-everybody/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It would have been an interesting run if we hadn't gotten along! It was good casting, I suppose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-west/it-would-have-been-an-interesting-run-if-we-hadn-t-gotten-along-it/) [Dominic West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-west/) > [Defense spending as a share of the economy dropped significantly during the early 1990s, and that was one of the things, along with other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-orszag/defense-spending-as-a-share-of-the-economy-dropped-significantly/) [Peter Orszag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-orszag/) > [Just remember: to be grateful and thank the people who are there and support you along the way is a great start to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-davis/just-remember-to-be-grateful-and-thank-the-people-who-are-there-and/) [Meryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-davis/) > [We feel that, with Sidney, we have a great opportunity over the next few years to put a great team on the ice. We're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-lemieux/we-feel-that-with-sidney-we-have-a-great-opportunity-over-the-next/) [Mario Lemieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-lemieux/) > [“Being along with the Nature your soul is stronger than all disasters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esat-durak/being-along-with-the-nature-your-soul-is-stronger-than-all-disasters/) [Esat Durak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esat-durak/) > [When I was 16 I was fortunate enough to get Cosby and move to New York and shift my whole life. that had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-bonet/when-i-was-16-i-was-fortunate-enough-to-get-cosby-and-move-to-new/) [Lisa Bonet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-bonet/) > [For some actors, their star shines brightly and fizzles out. My star doesn't shine that brightly, but it buzzes along. Hopefully, that means it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-maxwell-martin/for-some-actors-their-star-shines-brightly-and-fizzles-out-my-star/) [Anna Maxwell Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-maxwell-martin/) > [I prefer to have one gigantic laugh preceded by several smaller laughs rather than a bunch of medium laughs all along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-shock/i-prefer-to-have-one-gigantic-laugh-preceded-by-several-smaller/) [Ron Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-shock/) [Browse all 1,040 Along quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/along/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Certainly as a kid, I grew up with Batman, Superman, whoever - they didn't need to be black for me to relate to them. 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