--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being a black lesbian myself, I roll my…" description: "\"Being a black lesbian myself, I roll my eyes a little bit when I see black lesbian characters on shows where it's purely there for decoration. You can ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/640/lena-waithe-4351_being_being-a-black-lesbian-myself-i-roll-my-e_1890445.jpg" --- # Being a black lesbian myself, I roll my eyes a little bit… ![“Being a black lesbian myself, I roll my eyes a little bit when I see black lesbian characters on shows where it's purely there for decoration. You can just hear it in the writers room... 'What if we make her a lesbian?'” quote by Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/640/lena-waithe-4351_being_being-a-black-lesbian-myself-i-roll-my-e_1890445.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/640/lena-waithe-4351_being_being-a-black-lesbian-myself-i-roll-my-e_1890445.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/640/lena-waithe-4351_being_being-a-black-lesbian-myself-i-roll-my-e_1890445.jpg) > “Being a black lesbian myself, I roll my eyes a little bit when I see black lesbian characters on shows where it's purely there for decoration. You can just hear it in the writers room... 'What if we make her a lesbian?'” [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques tokenistic representation of black lesbians in media, suggesting it often serves as decorative tokenism rather than authentic storytelling. **In simple terms:** Tokenism of black lesbians in media is superficial. Key Takeaway Demand authentic, nuanced representation. Themes representation authenticity media identity diversity Mood frustrated critical hopeful Type cultural social When to use this quote - TV casting - scriptwriting - media criticism - advocacy - community dialogue Key Concepts intersectionality stereotype cultural critique Questions to Reflect On - How can creators ensure genuine representation? - What impact does tokenism have on audiences? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic issues in casting decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes/) [Lesbian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lesbian/) ## Related quotes > [I've never been a person that has had fear of, like, 'Oh, I don't want to be the poster child for all black lesbian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-ve-never-been-a-person-that-has-had-fear-of-like-oh-i-don-t-want-to/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Just because I don't fuck you anymore doesn't make me a lesbian.It just makes you an asshole.!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simi-ngr/just-because-i-don-t-fuck-you-anymore-doesn-t-make-me-a-lesbian-it/) [Simi Ngr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simi-ngr/) > [Just because I’m single and don’t date a lot, that doesn’t make me a lesbian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-clarkson/just-because-i-m-single-and-don-t-date-a-lot-that-doesn-t-make-me-a/) [Kelly Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-clarkson/) > [Sam, that's a great concept. And maybe you believe it. But I'm black and I'm a lesbian, so let me tell you: From what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/sam-that-s-a-great-concept-and-maybe-you-believe-it-but-i-m-black-and/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [When I was at Baylor, I wasn't fully happy because I couldn't be all the way out. It feels so good saying it: I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/when-i-was-at-baylor-i-wasn-t-fully-happy-because-i-couldn-t-be-all/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [I am a strong, black lesbian woman. Every single time I say it, I feel so much better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-a-strong-black-lesbian-woman-every-single-time-i-say-it-i-feel/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [There'll be a black lesbian in the White House before I'm James Bond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-everett/there-ll-be-a-black-lesbian-in-the-white-house-before-i-m-james-bond/) [Rupert Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-everett/) > [I am a strong, black, lesbian woman. Every time I say it, I feel so much better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-a-strong-black-lesbian-woman-every-time-i-say-it-i-feel-so-much/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [Going into a room and saying, 'I'm a black lesbian' - it's a strike against you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-rees/going-into-a-room-and-saying-i-m-a-black-lesbian-it-s-a-strike/) [Dee Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-rees/) > [Somebody could look at me and go, 'She's dressed black,' or 'She's behaving in the stereotypical way of a black lesbian.' But this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/somebody-could-look-at-me-and-go-she-s-dressed-black-or-she-s/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I think every time there's a show like 'Modern Family' or 'Will & Grace' that portray gay and lesbian characters and is successful, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-levitan/i-think-every-time-there-s-a-show-like-modern-family-or-will-grace/) [Steven Levitan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-levitan/) > [I love that we've chipped away at the celluloid closet and have wonderful programs that feature gay and lesbian characters in really rich, fully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/busy-philipps/i-love-that-we-ve-chipped-away-at-the-celluloid-closet-and-have/) [Busy Philipps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/busy-philipps/) > [I was actually a bit disappointed about the amount of sex in the show. I think Backus should get out a bit more, get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexa-doig/i-was-actually-a-bit-disappointed-about-the-amount-of-sex-in-the-show/) [Lexa Doig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexa-doig/) > [I think the type of actor I am, I tend to play strong leading female characters. The shows I've been on happen to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alaina-huffman/i-think-the-type-of-actor-i-am-i-tend-to-play-strong-leading-female/) [Alaina Huffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alaina-huffman/) > [The acting is more of a secondary thing for me now. I will be in it, if I'm the best man for the job,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-gann/the-acting-is-more-of-a-secondary-thing-for-me-now-i-will-be-in-it-if/) [Jason Gann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-gann/) ## More by Lena Waithe > [I'm a huge fan of television, and the reason I'm a part of the world is because I'm a fan of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-m-a-huge-fan-of-television-and-the-reason-i-m-a-part-of-the-world/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [To be yourself is truly a revolutionary act, and I think more and more people should try it, because it's gotten me a pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/to-be-yourself-is-truly-a-revolutionary-act-and-i-think-more-and-more/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I love basketball! When I'm flying, and I have on sweats, a hat, and sneakers, people always assume that I'm a high school kid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-love-basketball-when-i-m-flying-and-i-have-on-sweats-a-hat-and/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [The only way you really see change is by helping to create it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/the-only-way-you-really-see-change-is-by-helping-to-create-it/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [For me, it's about making art that's not good but phenomenal. James Baldwin didn't want to just stay above the fray. Prince didn't think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/for-me-it-s-about-making-art-that-s-not-good-but-phenomenal-james/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [The truth is, for me, when I was a young black girl who knew I was different, was watching TV, I would always be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/the-truth-is-for-me-when-i-was-a-young-black-girl-who-knew-i-was/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [There's something specific about Chicagoans, and I just felt like I'd love to tell their story in a creative way. Not in a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/there-s-something-specific-about-chicagoans-and-i-just-felt-like-i-d/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [It's always been my intention to never be boxed in. I never like to do something that it feels like I've done before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/it-s-always-been-my-intention-to-never-be-boxed-in-i-never-like-to-do/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Most writers stick to what they know. The black experience is our experience, so it's not that challenging for us. That's why sometimes you'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/most-writers-stick-to-what-they-know-the-black-experience-is-our/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Wearing one hoop earring and playing with the androgyny - that's who I am. That's what I like to do. And I feel the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/wearing-one-hoop-earring-and-playing-with-the-androgyny-that-s-who-i/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [You can talk all day long, but if you don't do something, it's a waste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/you-can-talk-all-day-long-but-if-you-don-t-do-something-it-s-a-waste/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I sort of knew very early on that I wanted to be a writer. Even in high school, I was a big movie buff,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-sort-of-knew-very-early-on-that-i-wanted-to-be-a-writer-even-in/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [My family still lives in Chicago: my mother, my sister, my nephew, my family is there. So even though I am not living there,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/my-family-still-lives-in-chicago-my-mother-my-sister-my-nephew-my/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I feel like I've accomplished a lot, but for me, it's about pushing to the point where I can be Mark Walhberg, Ryan Murphy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-feel-like-i-ve-accomplished-a-lot-but-for-me-it-s-about-pushing-to/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [With 'The Chi,' it's me observing my own city and also pulling some things from themes I've dealt with in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/with-the-chi-it-s-me-observing-my-own-city-and-also-pulling-some/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) [Explore all 112 Lena Waithe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [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/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being a black lesbian myself, I roll my eyes a little bit when I see black lesbian characters on shows where it's purely there for decoration. You can just hear it in the writers room... 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