--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What's 'Atlanta' about? Technically, it's…" description: "\"What's 'Atlanta' about? Technically, it's about a couple guys who are friends, but to me, 'Atlanta' is about black lives. I'm getting a real look at wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/lena-waithe-4351_atlanta_what-s-atlanta-about-technically-it-s-ab_3063900.jpg" --- # What's 'Atlanta' about? Technically, it's about a couple… ![“What's 'Atlanta' about? Technically, it's about a couple guys who are friends, but to me, 'Atlanta' is about black lives. I'm getting a real look at what black life means in Atlanta.” quote by Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/lena-waithe-4351_atlanta_what-s-atlanta-about-technically-it-s-ab_3063900.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/lena-waithe-4351_atlanta_what-s-atlanta-about-technically-it-s-ab_3063900.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/lena-waithe-4351_atlanta_what-s-atlanta-about-technically-it-s-ab_3063900.jpg) > “What's 'Atlanta' about? Technically, it's about a couple guys who are friends, but to me, 'Atlanta' is about black lives. I'm getting a real look at what black life means in Atlanta.” [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. Uses the TV show 'Atlanta' as a lens to explore the lived experiences and cultural nuances of Black life in the city. **In simple terms:** Atlanta shows Black life and its complexities. Key Takeaway Consider diverse perspectives in storytelling. Themes culture race media representation identity Mood analytical thoughtful Type cultural critical When to use this quote - media criticism - education - community dialogue Key Concepts intersectionality social commentary narrative analysis Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of Black life are highlighted? - How does the show challenge stereotypes? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on a single narrative can oversimplify. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atlanta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atlanta/) [Atlanta Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atlanta-black-5150983/) [Atlanta Technically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atlanta-technically-5150984/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-life-896582/) [Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look/) [Means Atlanta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means-atlanta-5150982/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) ## Related quotes > [There's been a lot of successful shows like 'This Is Us,' 'Atlanta,' and 'Insecure,' so, I feel like whenever something works, Hollywood wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/there-s-been-a-lot-of-successful-shows-like-this-is-us-atlanta-and/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Far from ending, systemic racism reinvents itself to conform to what is publically acceptable, leaving the quality of black life diminished and more permanently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/far-from-ending-systemic-racism-reinvents-itself-to-conform-to-what/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [We recriminalized black life. Incarceration rates since the 1908s have gone through the roof, overwhelmingly black males, women and Hispanics to some extent. Essentially…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/we-recriminalized-black-life-incarceration-rates-since-the-1908s-have/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [All black art, post-slavery, has always tried to prove in its own way that a black life is the equivalent of anyone else's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheo-hodari-coker/all-black-art-post-slavery-has-always-tried-to-prove-in-its-own-way/) [Cheo Hodari Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheo-hodari-coker/) > [“So what are you supposed to do? My friends, what I need you to do—just for starters—is not act. Not yet. Not first. First…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/so-what-are-you-supposed-to-do-my-friends-what-i-need-you-to-do-just/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [I don't trust white critics' judgment about most things that deal with black life, particularly when a black person is the creator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mcmillan/i-don-t-trust-white-critics-judgment-about-most-things-that-deal-with/) [Terry McMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mcmillan/) > [“chibok. (the immutable measure of black life.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nayyirah-waheed/chibok-the-immutable-measure-of-black-life/) [Nayyirah Waheed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nayyirah-waheed/) > [The criminalization of Black life was something specific to the United States in the post-Reconstruction period and there's something like it happening today with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-criminalization-of-black-life-was-something-specific-to-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“I asked another friend what it's like being the mother of a black son. "The condition of black life is one of mourning," she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-rankine/i-asked-another-friend-what-it-s-like-being-the-mother-of-a-black-son/) [Claudia Rankine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-rankine/) > [It's hypocritical to say Black Lives Matter' when we know Black life begins in the womb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-stanton-king/it-s-hypocritical-to-say-black-lives-matter-when-we-know-black-life/) [Angela Stanton-King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-stanton-king/) > [We need to fight for a new human rights movement that recognizes and values black life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/we-need-to-fight-for-a-new-human-rights-movement-that-recognizes-and/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [“Beloved, to be white is to know that you have at your own hand, or by extension, through institutionalized means, the power to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/beloved-to-be-white-is-to-know-that-you-have-at-your-own-hand-or-by/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [I'm black. I've been black all my life, and as far as I know, I'll die black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-gillum/i-m-black-i-ve-been-black-all-my-life-and-as-far-as-i-know-i-ll-die/) [Andrew Gillum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-gillum/) > [There's no idea in the world that is not contained by black life. I could write forever about the black experience in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-wilson/there-s-no-idea-in-the-world-that-is-not-contained-by-black-life-i/) [August Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-wilson/) > [In the Shadow of Slavery covers two and a half centuries of black life in New York City, and skillfully interweaves the categories of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-foner/in-the-shadow-of-slavery-covers-two-and-a-half-centuries-of-black/) [Eric Foner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-foner/) ## 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 Atlanta quotes > [I never thought I'd be on the cover of the 'Atlanta Journal' unless I killed someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-robinson/i-never-thought-i-d-be-on-the-cover-of-the-atlanta-journal-unless-i/) [Chris Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-robinson/) > [We are creating the new Atlanta, along with Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug. We bring the spaghetti, put it in the bowl, mix…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quavo/we-are-creating-the-new-atlanta-along-with-rich-homie-quan-and-young/) [Quavo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quavo/) > [I'm an Atlanta guy. I think Philly knows that. But I've adopted Philly as my second home, and they've embraced me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-m-an-atlanta-guy-i-think-philly-knows-that-but-i-ve-adopted-philly/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [When Olympic decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner asked a roomful of Olympic hopefuls if they had a list of written goals, every one raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/when-olympic-decathlon-gold-medalist-bruce-jenner-asked-a-roomful-of/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) > [If you go to Atlanta, the first question people ask you is, "What's your business?" In Macon they ask, "Where do you go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-berendt/if-you-go-to-atlanta-the-first-question-people-ask-you-is-what-s-your/) [John Berendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-berendt/) > [It took a qualified wizard to detect a summoning in progress. It required only a half-literate idiot with a twitch of power and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/it-took-a-qualified-wizard-to-detect-a-summoning-in-progress-it/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [I'm very appreciative to the people of Atlanta, forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-horford/i-m-very-appreciative-to-the-people-of-atlanta-forever/) [Al Horford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-horford/) > [I'm a southern girl, and I grew up with this slightly schizophrenic upbringing where I bounced back and forth between Atlanta, Georgia, and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-myracle/i-m-a-southern-girl-and-i-grew-up-with-this-slightly-schizophrenic/) [Lauren Myracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-myracle/) > [I was a news anchor in Macon for a year and a half, and a news reporter for exactly one year in Spartanburg before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-johnson-jr/i-was-a-news-anchor-in-macon-for-a-year-and-a-half-and-a-news/) [Ernie Johnson Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-johnson-jr/) > [In his study of Atlanta over the last 60 years, Kevin Kruse convincingly describes the critical connections between race, Sun Belt suburbanization, the rise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-carter/in-his-study-of-atlanta-over-the-last-60-years-kevin-kruse/) [Dan Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-carter/) > [Atlanta is Exhibit A in my belief that the marriage between hip-hop and sports is a failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-whitlock/atlanta-is-exhibit-a-in-my-belief-that-the-marriage-between-hip-hop/) [Jason Whitlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-whitlock/) > [Atlanta was a welcoming presence for a lot of artists; they called it 'the Mecca of the South.' I got to see the Negro…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/atlanta-was-a-welcoming-presence-for-a-lot-of-artists-they-called-it/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) > [I can't be calm when I drive through sections of Atlanta that look more like Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, than America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-mckinney/i-can-t-be-calm-when-i-drive-through-sections-of-atlanta-that-look/) [Cynthia McKinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-mckinney/) > [Coming from the south side of Atlanta, Georgia, everyone has a chip on their shoulder. That's how competitive it is. It makes athletes great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-coleman/coming-from-the-south-side-of-atlanta-georgia-everyone-has-a-chip-on/) [Christian Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-coleman/) > [I think it's important for artists to work together. It's great for fans to see, like, Ludacris came out to our show in Atlanta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-aldean/i-think-it-s-important-for-artists-to-work-together-it-s-great-for/) [Jason Aldean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-aldean/) [Browse all 416 Atlanta quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atlanta/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What's 'Atlanta' about? Technically, it's about a couple guys who are friends, but to me, 'Atlanta' is about black lives. 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