--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a little kid, I don't remember…" description: "\"When I was a little kid, I don't remember looking up and seeing so many Hispanic athletes out there.\" — Laurie Hernandez" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f7/laurie-hernandez-6355_athletes_when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember_206364.jpg" --- # When I was a little kid, I don't remember looking up and… ![“When I was a little kid, I don't remember looking up and seeing so many Hispanic athletes out there.” quote by Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f7/laurie-hernandez-6355_athletes_when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember_206364.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f7/laurie-hernandez-6355_athletes_when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember_206364.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f7/laurie-hernandez-6355_athletes_when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember_206364.jpg) > “When I was a little kid, I don't remember looking up and seeing so many Hispanic athletes out there.” [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She notes a lack of visible Hispanic athletes in her youth, highlighting representation gaps. **In simple terms:** Few Hispanic role models were visible when she was young. Key Takeaway Promote diverse representation in sports. Themes representation identity role models Mood thoughtful inspired Type activist educational When to use this quote - school sports programs - media diversity campaigns - community mentorship Key Concepts cultural visibility inclusion initiatives Questions to Reflect On - How can young athletes find role models today? - What steps can media take to showcase diverse athletes? A Different Perspective Changing representation takes systemic effort and time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athletes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletes/) [Hispanic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hispanic/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) ## Related quotes > [I remember looking through magazines or watching movies even just a couple of years ago and being like, 'I really want to be part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leighton-meester/i-remember-looking-through-magazines-or-watching-movies-even-just-a/) [Leighton Meester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leighton-meester/) > [“Might as well tell you. In that shop we were in, they had this shelf with loads of records and tapes. So I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kazuo-ishiguro/might-as-well-tell-you-in-that-shop-we-were-in-they-had-this-shelf/) [Kazuo Ishiguro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kazuo-ishiguro/) > [“Amaranth" There are no starfish in the sky tonight, But there is one below your belly, And there are cold evenings in your eyes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-stanford/amaranth-there-are-no-starfish-in-the-sky-tonight-but-there-is-one/) [Frank Stanford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-stanford/) > [The first day I can remember looking into a mirror and being able to stand what I saw was the day I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/the-first-day-i-can-remember-looking-into-a-mirror-and-being-able-to/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [When I was four years old, I remember looking in the mirror and running my fingers over my stomach and thinking I was fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/when-i-was-four-years-old-i-remember-looking-in-the-mirror-and/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [I remember when I was a kid looking at different types of film and really examining the grains of them. I remember even looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pitt/i-remember-when-i-was-a-kid-looking-at-different-types-of-film-and/) [Michael Pitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pitt/) > [Don't be afraid to get stupid and feel it. Remember everyone's looking at me and not you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zz-ward-53197/don-t-be-afraid-to-get-stupid-and-feel-it-remember-everyone-s-looking/) ZZ Ward > [“Later, Barbara Jean would remember looking at those eyes and thinking, This must be what the sky looks like if you see it through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kelsey-moore/later-barbara-jean-would-remember-looking-at-those-eyes-and-thinking/) [Edward Kelsey Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kelsey-moore/) > [I remember looking out into the crowd, thinking, 'This just feels right.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-costner/i-remember-looking-out-into-the-crowd-thinking-this-just-feels-right/) [Kevin Costner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-costner/) > [Always remember what you're looking for and don't settle for anything less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/always-remember-what-you-re-looking-for-and-don-t-settle-for-anything/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [This could very easily be taken out of context, and I think it's funny now, but I remember looking in the mirror as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/this-could-very-easily-be-taken-out-of-context-and-i-think-it-s-funny/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [“When I can’t find something, I try to remember what I put on top of it. Whatever I was looking for is usually under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-armstrong/when-i-can-t-find-something-i-try-to-remember-what-i-put-on-top-of-it/) [Linda Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-armstrong/) > [I remember looking at books when I was in high school, but I don't think I really stood in front of a genuine painting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bradley/i-remember-looking-at-books-when-i-was-in-high-school-but-i-don-t/) [Joe Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bradley/) > [“That’s how I remember you. But you’re not looking at me like that now, and I need you to do that. I need you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mccarthy/that-s-how-i-remember-you-but-you-re-not-looking-at-me-like-that-now/) [Kate McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mccarthy/) > [Every agency would mention my hips. I remember looking at the other models and thinking, 'I do not look like these girls.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iskra-lawrence/every-agency-would-mention-my-hips-i-remember-looking-at-the-other/) [Iskra Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iskra-lawrence/) ## More by Laurie Hernandez > [My earliest memory was watching gymnastics on live TV and wanting to do what the 'big girls' did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/my-earliest-memory-was-watching-gymnastics-on-live-tv-and-wanting-to/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [The first meal that I learned to make was scrambled eggs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/the-first-meal-that-i-learned-to-make-was-scrambled-eggs/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [My mother was in the Army Reserve for six years. She taught me the importance of following rules, finishing what I start, never giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/my-mother-was-in-the-army-reserve-for-six-years-she-taught-me-the/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [I knew when I started gymnastics, I wanted to have a lot of fun and eventually go to the Olympics. On the moments where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/i-knew-when-i-started-gymnastics-i-wanted-to-have-a-lot-of-fun-and/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [Since kindergarten, I was the shortest kid in class. They always put me toward the front in school pictures, because you couldn't see me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/since-kindergarten-i-was-the-shortest-kid-in-class-they-always-put-me/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [I never look at scores or anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/i-never-look-at-scores-or-anything/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [Don't let people tell you that you can't do something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/don-t-let-people-tell-you-that-you-can-t-do-something/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [Growing up, there wasn't an exact Hispanic role model that I had. I didn't realize how big a difference I was making, going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/growing-up-there-wasn-t-an-exact-hispanic-role-model-that-i-had-i/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [I think people are people. If you want something, go get it. I don't think it matters what race you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/i-think-people-are-people-if-you-want-something-go-get-it-i-don-t/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [When I'm not training, I'm typically doing anything self-care, so, like, bath bombs and face masks, or, like, having a movie night with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/when-i-m-not-training-i-m-typically-doing-anything-self-care-so-like/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [Every year, my mom makes sure I have my checkups and everything, which is probably a really good idea. She's great with all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/every-year-my-mom-makes-sure-i-have-my-checkups-and-everything-which/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [When you have family with you, it gives you extra energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/when-you-have-family-with-you-it-gives-you-extra-energy/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [I love listening to music in general before I compete. It's something that calms me down, and meditating and breathing before I get up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/i-love-listening-to-music-in-general-before-i-compete-it-s-something/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [My family has always been very close. Ever since I was a kid, everybody was always together, including my grandma. In the mornings, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/my-family-has-always-been-very-close-ever-since-i-was-a-kid-everybody/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [Meeting kids who feel inspired by my story, it means so much to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/meeting-kids-who-feel-inspired-by-my-story-it-means-so-much-to-me/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) [Explore all 99 Laurie Hernandez quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) ## More Athletes quotes > [Athletes at all ages are bigger and stronger than ever before. And they are being encouraged - sometimes even incentivized, as we recently learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-jain/athletes-at-all-ages-are-bigger-and-stronger-than-ever-before-and/) [Naveen Jain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-jain/) > [Whether it's basketball, football, baseball, you like meeting other athletes to see how their jobs work, and everything like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gaudreau/whether-it-s-basketball-football-baseball-you-like-meeting-other/) [Johnny Gaudreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gaudreau/) > [I'd just like to see athletes awake. And aware. There's so much going on and so much to know... 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Any time you can kind of learn and grow from an entrepreneurship standpoint and ownership…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ingram-ii/i-think-athletes-in-general-your-days-are-numbered-any-time-you-can/) [Mark Ingram II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ingram-ii/) > [Athletes can not look the same and be great in their individual sport. The example I like to use is Gabby Douglas. She could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-carter/athletes-can-not-look-the-same-and-be-great-in-their-individual-sport/) [Michelle Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-carter/) > [“Athletes, we were supposed to just be there, and in class I made it a point that I was prepared for every exam, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-wilkens/athletes-we-were-supposed-to-just-be-there-and-in-class-i-made-it-a/) [Lenny Wilkens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-wilkens/) > [My guess is many top athletes, distance runners included, use performance-enhancing drugs, enough so that the problem must be tackled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-rodgers/my-guess-is-many-top-athletes-distance-runners-included-use/) [Bill Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-rodgers/) > [I always tell young athletes the same thing, 'Wherever you go, whatever you do, what must your top priority be? Running.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/i-always-tell-young-athletes-the-same-thing-wherever-you-go-whatever/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [The most important thing to me is to inspire all these athletes in the next generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobin-heath/the-most-important-thing-to-me-is-to-inspire-all-these-athletes-in/) [Tobin Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobin-heath/) > [Somewhere behind the athlete you have become, and hours if practice is a little girl who picked up a ball, fell in love with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/somewhere-behind-the-athlete-you-have-become-and-hours-if-practice-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Athletes love challenges, and golf is something you can never master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-horry/athletes-love-challenges-and-golf-is-something-you-can-never-master/) [Robert Horry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-horry/) > [My concentration level blocks out everything. Concentration is why some athletes are better than others. You develop that concentration in training and concentrate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-concentration-level-blocks-out-everything-concentration-is-why/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 601 Athletes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was a little kid, I don't remember looking up and seeing so many Hispanic athletes out there.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laurie Hernandez" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember-looking-up-and-seeing-so/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Athletes" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember-looking-up-and-seeing-so/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f7/laurie-hernandez-6355_athletes_when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember_206364.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f7/laurie-hernandez-6355_athletes_when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember_206364.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f7/laurie-hernandez-6355_athletes_when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember_206364.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was a little kid, I don't remember looking up and seeing so many Hispanic athletes out there.” — Laurie Hernandez", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laurie Hernandez", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I was a little kid,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember-looking-up-and-seeing-so/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-don-t-remember-looking-up-and-seeing-so/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```