--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do think it's important for black…" description: "\"I do think it's important for black writers to show that we too can make it into the mainstream. Growing up, I didn't just watch The Cosby Show, I watc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/lena-waithe-4351_black_i-do-think-it-s-important-for-black-writ_1930767.jpg" --- # I do think it's important for black writers to show that… ![“I do think it's important for black writers to show that we too can make it into the mainstream. Growing up, I didn't just watch The Cosby Show, I watched Growing Pains and Family Ties too. We can tell those stories too.” quote by Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/lena-waithe-4351_black_i-do-think-it-s-important-for-black-writ_1930767.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/lena-waithe-4351_black_i-do-think-it-s-important-for-black-writ_1930767.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aba/lena-waithe-4351_black_i-do-think-it-s-important-for-black-writ_1930767.jpg) > “I do think it's important for black writers to show that we too can make it into the mainstream. Growing up, I didn't just watch The Cosby Show, I watched Growing Pains and Family Ties too. We can tell those stories too.” [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. She urges black writers to claim space in mainstream media by sharing diverse stories **In simple terms:** Black writers should be visible in mainstream media Key Takeaway Promote diverse narratives in media Themes representation inclusion media culture Mood hopeful determined Type activist inspirational When to use this quote - television writing - publishing - film - education Key Concepts cultural equity narrative ownership Questions to Reflect On - How can creators broaden audience acceptance? - What barriers exist for black storytellers? A Different Perspective Mainstream audiences may resist unfamiliar stories ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Family ties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family-ties/) [Growing pains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-pains/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Mainstream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mainstream/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Ties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ties/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Growing up, I didn't just watch 'The Cosby Show.' I watched 'Growing Pains' and 'Family Ties,' too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/growing-up-i-didn-t-just-watch-the-cosby-show-i-watched-growing-pains/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [If the movies that I'm going to make anyway go mainstream, that would be the coolest thing ever. But I have set up a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-glodell/if-the-movies-that-i-m-going-to-make-anyway-go-mainstream-that-would/) [Evan Glodell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-glodell/) > [The reason I do what I do is that I find that Asian community gives me an endless source of humour. When I entered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gurinder-chadha/the-reason-i-do-what-i-do-is-that-i-find-that-asian-community-gives/) [Gurinder Chadha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gurinder-chadha/) > [So how do you make it as a mainstream entertainer? Who knows? But I think you have to be uncomfortable, right? You have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/logan-paul/so-how-do-you-make-it-as-a-mainstream-entertainer-who-knows-but-i/) [Logan Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/logan-paul/) > [After Jackie Robinson the most important black in baseball history is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-jackson/after-jackie-robinson-the-most-important-black-in-baseball-history-is-2/) [Reggie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-jackson/) > [Working with Benny was important for me and for black musicians in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-hampton/working-with-benny-was-important-for-me-and-for-black-musicians-in/) [Lionel Hampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-hampton/) > [Everybody in the working class is important, whether you're black or white and that's what I want them to feel and know from Our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/everybody-in-the-working-class-is-important-whether-you-re-black-or/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [I think it's important for black people in general to be aware of what's going on and do what you got to work around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jpegmafia/i-think-it-s-important-for-black-people-in-general-to-be-aware-of/) [JPEGMAFIA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jpegmafia/) > [After Jackie Robinson the most important black in baseball history is Reggie Jackson, I really mean that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-jackson/after-jackie-robinson-the-most-important-black-in-baseball-history-is/) [Reggie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-jackson/) > [All lives matter when black lives matter and no lives are more important than black lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-woodson/all-lives-matter-when-black-lives-matter-and-no-lives-are-more/) [Charles Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-woodson/) > [The reason people think it's important to be white is that they think it's important not to be black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-reason-people-think-it-s-important-to-be-white-is-that-they-think/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's very important to see a black gay teen represented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ncuti-gatwa/it-s-very-important-to-see-a-black-gay-teen-represented/) [Ncuti Gatwa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ncuti-gatwa/) > [As much as I think it is necessary and desirable for white people to have an expanded view of the black American experience, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-lee-shetterly/as-much-as-i-think-it-is-necessary-and-desirable-for-white-people-to/) [Margot Lee Shetterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-lee-shetterly/) > [It's important for Black and Latino men to go to the doctor in general. We don't get checked up enough unless something hurts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jadakiss/it-s-important-for-black-and-latino-men-to-go-to-the-doctor-in/) [Jadakiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jadakiss/) > [The Black church is extremely important in Black America. I think most Americans themselves believe in a divine power, in a god, and I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-lennix/the-black-church-is-extremely-important-in-black-america-i-think-most/) [Harry Lennix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-lennix/) ## 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 Black quotes > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [How can you be more subject; black woman in a white man's world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/how-can-you-be-more-subject-black-woman-in-a-white-man-s-world/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [We have to build our own power. We have to win every single political office we can, where we have a majority of black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-lou-hamer/we-have-to-build-our-own-power-we-have-to-win-every-single-political/) [Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-lou-hamer/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) Frank B. Wilderson III > [I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-know-how-hard-it-is-to-be-a-woman-especially-a-black-woman/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [If soot stains your tunic, dye it black. This is vengeance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-scott-bakker/if-soot-stains-your-tunic-dye-it-black-this-is-vengeance/) [R. Scott Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-scott-bakker/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [Nowadays most people wear black most of the time anyway: go to a literary party and one would imagine everyone there was in perpetual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/nowadays-most-people-wear-black-most-of-the-time-anyway-go-to-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) Browse all 11,655 Black quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I do think it's important for black writers to show that we too can make it into the mainstream. Growing up, I didn't just watch The Cosby Show, I watched Growing Pains and Family Ties too. 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