--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've been having a 20-plus year…" description: "\"I've been having a 20-plus year conversation with black women, starting with 'Girlfriends,' moving through 'The Game,' 'Being Mary Jane,' even 'Sparkle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/mara-brock-akil-17615_being_i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversa_2677181.jpg" --- # I've been having a 20-plus year conversation with black… ![“I've been having a 20-plus year conversation with black women, starting with 'Girlfriends,' moving through 'The Game,' 'Being Mary Jane,' even 'Sparkle.'” quote by Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/mara-brock-akil-17615_being_i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversa_2677181.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/mara-brock-akil-17615_being_i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversa_2677181.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/mara-brock-akil-17615_being_i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversa_2677181.jpg) > “I've been having a 20-plus year conversation with black women, starting with 'Girlfriends,' moving through 'The Game,' 'Being Mary Jane,' even 'Sparkle.'” [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She reflects on a long-term dialogue with black women through various TV shows. **In simple terms:** Long conversation with black women via TV. Key Takeaway Value sustained cultural conversations. Themes media representation dialogue Mood thoughtful engaging Type media cultural When to use this quote - panel discussions - media studies - community workshops Key Concepts television cultural analysis Questions to Reflect On - How have these shows impacted you? - What stories remain untold? A Different Perspective May generalize experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Black women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-women/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Conversation Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation-black-1311942/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Having 20](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-20-1684569/) [Mary jane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mary-jane/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) [Year Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/year-conversation-2550496/) ## Related quotes > [In 2016, the conversation of the black experience is so broad, and it's very raw. I mean, c'mon, we have a black president. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-shaheed-muhammad/in-2016-the-conversation-of-the-black-experience-is-so-broad-and-it-s/) [Ali Shaheed Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-shaheed-muhammad/) > [You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-discover-more-about-a-person-in-an-hour-of-play-than-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the conversation around Black Lives Matter, Afro-Latinx people, we are part of that conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariana-debose/in-the-conversation-around-black-lives-matter-afro-latinx-people-we/) [Ariana DeBose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariana-debose/) > [I'd never carried on a conversation with a black until college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-long/i-d-never-carried-on-a-conversation-with-a-black-until-college/) [Howie Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-long/) > [There ought to be a robust, uninhibited conversation in black America with different black ideological perspectives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/there-ought-to-be-a-robust-uninhibited-conversation-in-black-america/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [I thought that I was going to have to pay them to do what I wanted to do, that was how much fun I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisy-fuentes/i-thought-that-i-was-going-to-have-to-pay-them-to-do-what-i-wanted-to/) [Daisy Fuentes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisy-fuentes/) > [Having 20 girlfriends isn't swag...having 1 girlfriend and 19 girls chasing you is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/having-20-girlfriends-isn-t-swag-having-1-girlfriend-and-19-girls/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Having 20 Girlfriends isnt Swag, Having 1 Girlfriend & 19 girls Chasing You is ...¥](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-de-la-rosa/having-20-girlfriends-isnt-swag-having-1-girlfriend-19-girls-chasing/) [Emily De La Rosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-de-la-rosa/) > [To have a functioning body and not to use it is like having 20/20 vision and never opening your eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-phillips/to-have-a-functioning-body-and-not-to-use-it-is-like-having-20-20/) [Bill Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-phillips/) > [I thought that I was going to have to pay them to do what I wanted to do, that was how much fun I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisy-fuentes/i-thought-that-i-was-going-to-have-to-pay-them-to-do-what-i-wanted-to-2/) [Daisy Fuentes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisy-fuentes/) > [I miss like having 20 messages an hour:(](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cuts-and-scars/i-miss-like-having-20-messages-an-hour/) [Cuts And Scars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cuts-and-scars/) > [With 'Girlfriends,' even with 'The Game,' or even with 'Being Mary Jane,' I didn't get a chance to wrap up the story and, more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/with-girlfriends-even-with-the-game-or-even-with-being-mary-jane-i/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I went to journalism school, so sometimes writing the script of 'Being Mary Jane' is me putting my journalism hat on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-went-to-journalism-school-so-sometimes-writing-the-script-of-being/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [In 'Girlfriends,' I was exploring the idea of having it all. In 'Being Mary Jane,' I was exploring the idea that you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/in-girlfriends-i-was-exploring-the-idea-of-having-it-all-in-being/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [That's what this industry is all about - supporting artists and supporting storytellers and hearing the audience for what they want and need. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/that-s-what-this-industry-is-all-about-supporting-artists-and/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) ## More by Mara Brock Akil > [For me, I start at the place that my characters are human. I start at the place that they are onions that are layered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/for-me-i-start-at-the-place-that-my-characters-are-human-i-start-at/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I often attribute my screenwriting to journalism because they drill in the who, what, when, where and why - but we really need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-often-attribute-my-screenwriting-to-journalism-because-they-drill/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [One of the most powerful things we have is to tell our story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/one-of-the-most-powerful-things-we-have-is-to-tell-our-story/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [That's what this industry is all about - supporting artists and supporting storytellers and hearing the audience for what they want and need. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/that-s-what-this-industry-is-all-about-supporting-artists-and/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [When I walk into a room, I know my storytelling has value and I have to sell my idea. I have to help people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/when-i-walk-into-a-room-i-know-my-storytelling-has-value-and-i-have/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I'm trying to talk about challenging subjects people might not like and trying to find relief as we discuss it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-m-trying-to-talk-about-challenging-subjects-people-might-not-like/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I've kinda been an off-Broadway sensation. There aren't a lot of lights or big marquees around my name or my work, yet my core…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-ve-kinda-been-an-off-broadway-sensation-there-aren-t-a-lot-of/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [If you want something, work hard for it, go after it. I can't worry about all the 'no's, because I believe there's a yes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/if-you-want-something-work-hard-for-it-go-after-it-i-can-t-worry/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I was nurtured by Ralph Farquhar and then, later, by Sara Finney-Johnson and Vida Spears, two black women. So, I actually was nurtured by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-was-nurtured-by-ralph-farquhar-and-then-later-by-sara-finney/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I think pregnancy, like life, is what you make it. I received a good hand. I'm thankful and blessed and so peaceful and can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-think-pregnancy-like-life-is-what-you-make-it-i-received-a-good/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [Thank you for seeing me on the days when I couldn't see myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/thank-you-for-seeing-me-on-the-days-when-i-couldn-t-see-myself/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I went to journalism school, so sometimes writing the script of 'Being Mary Jane' is me putting my journalism hat on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-went-to-journalism-school-so-sometimes-writing-the-script-of-being/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [It's funny that black men, at first, were worried about a show called 'Girlfriends' because they thought that black men were gonna get bashed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/it-s-funny-that-black-men-at-first-were-worried-about-a-show-called/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I'm very connected and passionate about what I put out in the world, and I want to get things safely to shore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-m-very-connected-and-passionate-about-what-i-put-out-in-the-world/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) > [I'm not afraid of stereotypes. There are some truths to it - but the problem is that people keep sort of owning that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-m-not-afraid-of-stereotypes-there-are-some-truths-to-it-but-the/) [Mara Brock Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) [Explore all 36 Mara Brock Akil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/) ## 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": "I've been having a 20-plus year conversation with black women, starting with 'Girlfriends,' moving through 'The Game,' 'Being Mary Jane,' even 'Sparkle.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mara Brock Akil" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversation-with-black-women/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversation-with-black-women/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/mara-brock-akil-17615_being_i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversa_2677181.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/mara-brock-akil-17615_being_i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversa_2677181.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/mara-brock-akil-17615_being_i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversa_2677181.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've been having a 20-plus year conversation with black women, starting with 'Girlfriends,' moving through…” — Mara Brock Akil", "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": "Mara Brock Akil", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-brock-akil/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've been having a 20-plus year...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversation-with-black-women/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-brock-akil/i-ve-been-having-a-20-plus-year-conversation-with-black-women/#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 } } ] } ```