--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the biggest things that I took…" description: "\"One of the biggest things that I took from playing Kunta Kinte was where his strength came from in knowing where he was from.\" — Malachi Kirby" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/malachi-kirby-17803_he_one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-fr_114837.jpg" --- # One of the biggest things that I took from playing Kunta… ![“One of the biggest things that I took from playing Kunta Kinte was where his strength came from in knowing where he was from.” quote by Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/malachi-kirby-17803_he_one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-fr_114837.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/malachi-kirby-17803_he_one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-fr_114837.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/malachi-kirby-17803_he_one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-fr_114837.jpg) > “One of the biggest things that I took from playing Kunta Kinte was where his strength came from in knowing where he was from.” [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects that playing Kunta Kinte taught him that personal strength derives from an awareness of one’s heritage and origins. **In simple terms:** Knowing one’s roots fuels inner strength. Key Takeaway Identity rooted in ancestry empowers resilience. Themes heritage identity personal growth cultural memory Mood reflective inspired Type personal insight cultural reflection When to use this quote - ancestry research - cultural education - community storytelling - self‑esteem workshops Key Concepts psychology of belonging historical consciousness Practical Applications - encourage exploration of family history - use heritage in leadership development Questions to Reflect On - How does awareness of ancestry shape modern identity? - Can strength be cultivated without historical context? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) ## Related quotes > [Kunta Kinte's strength derives from the knowledge of where he comes from, but it struck me that I don't know where I come from.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/kunta-kinte-s-strength-derives-from-the-knowledge-of-where-he-comes/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [Playing Kunta Kinte is an emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/playing-kunta-kinte-is-an-emotional-physical-spiritual-and-mental/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [I went through a furnace and came out knowing who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/britta-phillips/i-went-through-a-furnace-and-came-out-knowing-who-i-am/) [Britta Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/britta-phillips/) > [It definitely took me a while to adjust to L.A. I came out knowing nobody, and I'd never lived away from home before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-macdonald/it-definitely-took-me-a-while-to-adjust-to-l-a-i-came-out-knowing/) [Danielle Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-macdonald/) > [I came here knowing nobody. I worked clubs as a singer and even the doors a few times before I landed some TV roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chazz-palminteri/i-came-here-knowing-nobody-i-worked-clubs-as-a-singer-and-even-the/) [Chazz Palminteri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chazz-palminteri/) > [“Poetry, music, forests, oceans, solitude—they were what developed enormous spiritual strength. I came to realize that spirit, as much or more than physical conditioning,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-mcdougall/poetry-music-forests-oceans-solitude-they-were-what-developed/) [Christopher McDougall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-mcdougall/) > [There was a perception of me, and I earned it because I was really intense, really gruff. I treated certain people poorly at times.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-gibson/there-was-a-perception-of-me-and-i-earned-it-because-i-was-really/) [Kirk Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-gibson/) > [“Long ago she had thought bravery equaled wandering, the power was in the journey. Now she knew that, for her, it took no courage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-brown/long-ago-she-had-thought-bravery-equaled-wandering-the-power-was-in/) [Eleanor Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-brown/) > [My strength didnt come from lifting weights; my strength came from lifting myself up when I was repeatedly knocked down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-strength-didnt-come-from-lifting-weights-my-strength-came-from/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Strength never came from pleasure. Strength only came from pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/strength-never-came-from-pleasure-strength-only-came-from-pain/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [It was when I entered the military preparatory school and put on its uniform, that a feeling of strength came to me, as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/it-was-when-i-entered-the-military-preparatory-school-and-put-on-its/) [Mustafa Kemal Ataturk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/) > [My strength never came from political echelons, it came from the family. And from the fields and the lands and the flowers and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-sharon/my-strength-never-came-from-political-echelons-it-came-from-the/) [Ariel Sharon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-sharon/) > [My strength didn't come from lifting weights .. my strength came from lifting myself up every time I was knocked down...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-micah-rosales/my-strength-didn-t-come-from-lifting-weights-my-strength-came-from/) [Maria Micah Rosales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-micah-rosales/) > [The impression of strength came from an extraordinary vitality that seemed to pulse in the very air around him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/the-impression-of-strength-came-from-an-extraordinary-vitality-that/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“Higher and higher he climbed. His strength came from somewhere deep inside himself and also seemed to come from the outside as well. After…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-sachar/higher-and-higher-he-climbed-his-strength-came-from-somewhere-deep/) [Louis Sachar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-sachar/) ## More by Malachi Kirby > [Kunta Kinte's strength derives from the knowledge of where he comes from, but it struck me that I don't know where I come from.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/kunta-kinte-s-strength-derives-from-the-knowledge-of-where-he-comes/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [When I heard that 'Roots' was being remade, my first response was, 'Seriously?' I was a bit skeptical. Then I had an audition in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/when-i-heard-that-roots-was-being-remade-my-first-response-was/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [I believe it's important to have equal opportunities as a black actor. My way of fighting for it is through my art, by not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/i-believe-it-s-important-to-have-equal-opportunities-as-a-black-actor/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [I found that there were things that God could reveal to me that I could never get myself physically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/i-found-that-there-were-things-that-god-could-reveal-to-me-that-i/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [Charlie Brooker is crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/charlie-brooker-is-crazy/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [I was 22 when my mother gave me the original box set of 'Roots' and she said, 'I want you to watch this.' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/i-was-22-when-my-mother-gave-me-the-original-box-set-of-roots-and-she/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [Playing Kunta Kinte is an emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/playing-kunta-kinte-is-an-emotional-physical-spiritual-and-mental/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [I was taught about slavery, but it was the ancient Egyptians. That's the closest I got to African history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/i-was-taught-about-slavery-but-it-was-the-ancient-egyptians-that-s/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [My roots go back to West Africa, but my last name is Kirby, which is not an African name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/my-roots-go-back-to-west-africa-but-my-last-name-is-kirby-which-is/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [There are many people still ashamed of their roots because of the negative connotations that come with being an 'African.' That sentiment exists many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/there-are-many-people-still-ashamed-of-their-roots-because-of-the/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [My dad passed when I was 6. I found out when I was about 21 that my dad always said acting would be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/my-dad-passed-when-i-was-6-i-found-out-when-i-was-about-21-that-my/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [Kunta Kinte is the closest thing I've ever seen... to a superhero. He's amazing. He's inspirational.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/kunta-kinte-is-the-closest-thing-i-ve-ever-seen-to-a-superhero-he-s/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [It's really cheesy, but basically, 'Roots' got me to find out my own roots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/it-s-really-cheesy-but-basically-roots-got-me-to-find-out-my-own-roots/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [Kids under, I'd say, 14 are still maturing; they are still growing. They are still understanding themselves. To hit them with something like 'Roots,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/kids-under-i-d-say-14-are-still-maturing-they-are-still-growing-they/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [I was the shiest person you could think of. I didn't really speak. I was an only child, so most of my life I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/i-was-the-shiest-person-you-could-think-of-i-didn-t-really-speak-i/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) [Explore all 36 Malachi Kirby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) ## More He quotes > [I gave my archive to Emory University because there's a really dear friend who teaches there, Rudolph Byrd, and he's the editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-gave-my-archive-to-emory-university-because-there-s-a-really-dear/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [My coach, Robert Allen, helped me a lot. He had more influence on my growth as a player than anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamarcus-aldridge/my-coach-robert-allen-helped-me-a-lot-he-had-more-influence-on-my/) [LaMarcus Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamarcus-aldridge/) > [If you're a top 10 guy you should pay a top 10 guy or even a top 5 guy what he deserves, whether it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aljamain-sterling/if-you-re-a-top-10-guy-you-should-pay-a-top-10-guy-or-even-a-top-5/) [Aljamain Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aljamain-sterling/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [I wonder: when a Jehovah's Witness dies and goes to Heaven, does God hide behind the door and pretend He's not home?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-celio/i-wonder-when-a-jehovah-s-witness-dies-and-goes-to-heaven-does-god/) [Brian Celio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-celio/) > [Troy was a sweet, good man. We just were never destined to be married. We just didn't have the same values. But I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-pleshette/troy-was-a-sweet-good-man-we-just-were-never-destined-to-be-married/) [Suzanne Pleshette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-pleshette/) > [A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-erhard/a-compromise-is-the-art-of-dividing-a-cake-in-such-a-way-that/) Ludwig Erhard > [I was with Dre when he was just selling tapes. He didn't have a car, a license or a job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-le/i-was-with-dre-when-he-was-just-selling-tapes-he-didn-t-have-a-car-a/) [Michel'le](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-le/) > [An actor doesn't have a regular job. He is dependent upon the roles which are given him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-heflin/an-actor-doesn-t-have-a-regular-job-he-is-dependent-upon-the-roles/) [Van Heflin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-heflin/) > [It's something he used to say when he was happy. It could be a very, very simple day. We might be sitting out on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grant/it-s-something-he-used-to-say-when-he-was-happy-it-could-be-a-very/) [Jennifer Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grant/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [Notoriously outspoken, his sentences always punctuated with profanities, General George S. Patton was the epitome of what a leader should be like - or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/notoriously-outspoken-his-sentences-always-punctuated-with/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [Nick Saban's legacy is already cemented. He's won six national championships and seven if you include the one in LSU.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ingram-ii/nick-saban-s-legacy-is-already-cemented-he-s-won-six-national/) [Mark Ingram II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ingram-ii/) > [You've got a lot of Tupac clones, but I don't think I'm one of them. I just think I give people a little piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-gibbs/you-ve-got-a-lot-of-tupac-clones-but-i-don-t-think-i-m-one-of-them-i/) [Freddie Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-gibbs/) > [I have great respect for Icardi and what he's done for football and Galatasaray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-osimhen/i-have-great-respect-for-icardi-and-what-he-s-done-for-football-and/) [Victor Osimhen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-osimhen/) Browse all 12,613 He quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the biggest things that I took from playing Kunta Kinte was where his strength came from in knowing where he was from.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Malachi Kirby" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-from-playing-kunta-kinte-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "He" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-from-playing-kunta-kinte-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/malachi-kirby-17803_he_one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-fr_114837.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/malachi-kirby-17803_he_one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-fr_114837.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/919/malachi-kirby-17803_he_one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-fr_114837.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“One of the biggest things that I took from playing Kunta Kinte was where his strength came from in knowing…” — Malachi Kirby", "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": "Malachi Kirby", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "One of the biggest things that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-from-playing-kunta-kinte-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/one-of-the-biggest-things-that-i-took-from-playing-kunta-kinte-was/#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 } } ] } ```