--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I just want to make sure that I'm taking…" description: "\"I just want to make sure that I'm taking roles that are positive, real, honest reflections of African-Americans because I do think the media can put Af..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c7/kat-graham-4328_american-women_i-just-want-to-make-sure-that-i-m-taking_1018932.jpg" --- # I just want to make sure that I'm taking roles that are… ![“I just want to make sure that I'm taking roles that are positive, real, honest reflections of African-Americans because I do think the media can put African-American women in the background. Then, unfortunately, what happens is, subconsciously, our culture begins to assess that as reality.” quote by Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c7/kat-graham-4328_american-women_i-just-want-to-make-sure-that-i-m-taking_1018932.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c7/kat-graham-4328_american-women_i-just-want-to-make-sure-that-i-m-taking_1018932.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c7/kat-graham-4328_american-women_i-just-want-to-make-sure-that-i-m-taking_1018932.jpg) > “I just want to make sure that I'm taking roles that are positive, real, honest reflections of African-Americans because I do think the media can put African-American women in the background. Then, unfortunately, what happens is, subconsciously, our culture begins to assess that as reality.” [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She urges choosing roles that authentically represent African‑American women, countering media marginalization that shapes perceptions. **In simple terms:** Choose authentic roles to counter stereotypes. Key Takeaway Seek truth in representation. Themes representation media influence authenticity culture stereotypes Mood determined critical hopeful Type advice social commentary When to use this quote - acting auditions - script selection - media criticism - community dialogue Key Concepts identity politics media studies cultural impact Questions to Reflect On - How can actors influence casting decisions? - What steps can audiences take to demand authentic stories? A Different Perspective Media often limits opportunities, making authentic casting hard. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [African american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) [African americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-americans/) [American women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-women/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Happens Subconsciously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens-subconsciously-2259805/) [Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Reflections African](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reflections-african-2259804/) [Taking Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taking-roles-561246/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) ## Related quotes > [Something mysterious happens to a curious, fully engaged mind - and it happens as often as not, subconsciously. Strange little sparks are set off,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/something-mysterious-happens-to-a-curious-fully-engaged-mind-and-it/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [I've loved taking on roles that have a very universal message that lots of people can identify and relate to - and at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cierra-ramirez/i-ve-loved-taking-on-roles-that-have-a-very-universal-message-that/) [Cierra Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cierra-ramirez/) > [Heres the thing: If youre taking roles that arent intimidating you, and I think this is a cliche that a lot of actors say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-lauria/heres-the-thing-if-youre-taking-roles-that-arent-intimidating-you-and/) [Matt Lauria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-lauria/) > [I've made a career of taking roles that other actresses didn't want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-coolidge/i-ve-made-a-career-of-taking-roles-that-other-actresses-didn-t-want/) [Jennifer Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-coolidge/) > [So there's no such thing as one too many this, one too many that. I remember, you're reminding me of early in my career,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-keitel/so-there-s-no-such-thing-as-one-too-many-this-one-too-many-that-i/) [Harvey Keitel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-keitel/) > [I most often land up taking up the roles that I most detest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-lahti/i-most-often-land-up-taking-up-the-roles-that-i-most-detest/) [Christine Lahti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-lahti/) > [I love African American women, but I just don't like my skin complexion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kodak-black/i-love-african-american-women-but-i-just-don-t-like-my-skin-complexion/) [Kodak Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kodak-black/) > [I get criticized for taking roles in films like 'Ghost Rider 2', but if you look at my resume, dude, I've mixed it up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/i-get-criticized-for-taking-roles-in-films-like-ghost-rider-2-but-if/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [I have never been more proud of the United States than I am this year. We have elected an African-American president. We have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-stockett/i-have-never-been-more-proud-of-the-united-states-than-i-am-this-year/) [Kathryn Stockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-stockett/) > [Here's the thing: If you're taking roles that aren't intimidating you, and I think this is a cliche that a lot of actors say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-lauria/here-s-the-thing-if-you-re-taking-roles-that-aren-t-intimidating-you/) [Matt Lauria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-lauria/) > [I am an African-American woman of dark skin tone, and there are very specific roles that are usually given to African-American women of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lachanze/i-am-an-african-american-woman-of-dark-skin-tone-and-there-are-very/) [LaChanze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lachanze/) > [The hearts of Afro-American women are too warm and too large for race hatred. Long suffering has so chastened them that they are developing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-barrier-williams/the-hearts-of-afro-american-women-are-too-warm-and-too-large-for-race/) [Fannie Barrier Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-barrier-williams/) > [It's important for women to understand that it's bad enough that we don't make dollar-for-dollar what men do, but when you distill that down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/it-s-important-for-women-to-understand-that-it-s-bad-enough-that-we/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [African American women in particular have incredible buying power. Statistically, we go to the movies more than anyone. We have made Tyler Perrys career.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-nottage/african-american-women-in-particular-have-incredible-buying-power/) [Lynn Nottage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-nottage/) > [Since Bush has been in office, African-American women have fallen behind in terms of income and wages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-brazile/since-bush-has-been-in-office-african-american-women-have-fallen/) [Donna Brazile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-brazile/) ## More by Kat Graham > [I'm into Gucci a lot, like vintage '70s everything. I'm into Versace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-m-into-gucci-a-lot-like-vintage-70s-everything-i-m-into-versace/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I think Sephora is great; it's so accessible, and there are so many different palettes that you can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-think-sephora-is-great-it-s-so-accessible-and-there-are-so-many/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I like different statement jewelry, especially around the ears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-like-different-statement-jewelry-especially-around-the-ears/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [Sometimes fashion designers will be like, 'This is what's hot right now, and you will be cool if you wear this,' but sometimes it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/sometimes-fashion-designers-will-be-like-this-is-what-s-hot-right-now/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I think a lot of young girls see actresses, and they think of red carpets, and they think of 'Us Weekly,' and they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-think-a-lot-of-young-girls-see-actresses-and-they-think-of-red/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [Live performances always feel like such a moment with all of the costumes and theatrics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/live-performances-always-feel-like-such-a-moment-with-all-of-the/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I just wanna be a good artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-just-wanna-be-a-good-artist/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I'd really like to work with Gwen Stefani and Cee Lo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-d-really-like-to-work-with-gwen-stefani-and-cee-lo/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [Take chances, find your voice in fashion, and find what you like, and find what makes you feel good, and do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/take-chances-find-your-voice-in-fashion-and-find-what-you-like-and/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I love a cool bralette paired with a high-waisted jean, maybe with Chanel suspenders and a good platform shoe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-love-a-cool-bralette-paired-with-a-high-waisted-jean-maybe-with/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I learned that it's OK to be stubborn about your craft, and it's OK to demand excellence from the industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-learned-that-it-s-ok-to-be-stubborn-about-your-craft-and-it-s-ok-to/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I would really love to collaborate with Gwen Stefani and M.I.A.; artists that kind of make sense with me vocally. And in terms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-would-really-love-to-collaborate-with-gwen-stefani-and-m-i-a/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I wanted to be the first female, young teenager producer, and it didn't happen. And when it finally did happen, I was shelved because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-wanted-to-be-the-first-female-young-teenager-producer-and-it-didn-t/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [I like the idea of being so passionate about everything I do and the fact that I might wake up tomorrow and say 'I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/i-like-the-idea-of-being-so-passionate-about-everything-i-do-and-the/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) > [When I see other working actresses that are brown, I get so excited. I get so excited when I see Zoe Kravitz, Janelle Monae,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-graham/when-i-see-other-working-actresses-that-are-brown-i-get-so-excited-i/) [Kat Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) [Explore all 112 Kat Graham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-graham/) ## More African american quotes > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [“This popularity extended to Trump himself, who, according to private demographic research conducted at the time, was even more popular with African American and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-green/this-popularity-extended-to-trump-himself-who-according-to-private/) [Joshua Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-green/) > [American civil rights leader, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Lynching is a murder. For the past four hundred years our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/american-civil-rights-leader-where-do-we-go-from-here-chaos-or/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I know I'm more forgiving than most African Americans when it comes to second chances for White people who not only commit a racial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/i-know-i-m-more-forgiving-than-most-african-americans-when-it-comes/) [Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/) > [Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-mehlman/some-republicans-gave-up-on-winning-the-african-american-vote-looking/) [Ken Mehlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-mehlman/) > [It's unfortunate that a lot of people think African-American female artists are monolithically R&B this-or-that, don't have to do anything by default.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/it-s-unfortunate-that-a-lot-of-people-think-african-american-female/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Whereas our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel ourselves entitled to participate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-allen/whereas-our-ancestors-not-of-choice-were-the-first-successful/) [Richard Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-allen/) > [It may be changing, but still it's the one place, that total control of an institution, that African Americans have. 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