--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I remember as a young man seeing these…" description: "\"I remember as a young man seeing these bigger-than-life, strong images of black manhood in the form of Jim Brown and Fred Williamson, Jim Kelly, Billy ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/michael-jai-white-16048_alpha_i-remember-as-a-young-man-seeing-these-b_1468884.jpg" --- # I remember as a young man seeing these bigger-than-life… ![“I remember as a young man seeing these bigger-than-life, strong images of black manhood in the form of Jim Brown and Fred Williamson, Jim Kelly, Billy Dee Williams. All these guys were these alpha males who were smart, attractive. I said, 'Wow, I want to be like that.'” quote by Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/michael-jai-white-16048_alpha_i-remember-as-a-young-man-seeing-these-b_1468884.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/michael-jai-white-16048_alpha_i-remember-as-a-young-man-seeing-these-b_1468884.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7a/michael-jai-white-16048_alpha_i-remember-as-a-young-man-seeing-these-b_1468884.jpg) > “I remember as a young man seeing these bigger-than-life, strong images of black manhood in the form of Jim Brown and Fred Williamson, Jim Kelly, Billy Dee Williams. All these guys were these alpha males who were smart, attractive. I said, 'Wow, I want to be like that.'” [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker idolizes strong, charismatic black male role models from media, seeing them as aspirational figures. **In simple terms:** Admiration for powerful black icons. Key Takeaway Seek positive role models. Themes identity masculinity media influence role models Mood reflective inspired Type cultural personal development When to use this quote - personal growth - career ambition - self‑esteem Key Concepts representation hero worship cultural impact Questions to Reflect On - Who truly inspires you and why? - How can you embody positive traits without mimicking stereotypes? A Different Perspective Idealized images may overlook real complexities of individuals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Males](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/males/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Manhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manhood/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) ## Related quotes > [“The overriding problem with BGFs is not rooted in the fact that they are Greek-letter organizations with unique practices or that their written rituals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-l-jones/the-overriding-problem-with-bgfs-is-not-rooted-in-the-fact-that-they/) Ricky L. Jones > [I grew up on my Adam Sandler, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams - all those guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-rife/i-grew-up-on-my-adam-sandler-david-spade-rob-schneider-jim-carrey/) [Matt Rife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-rife/) > [Chris Paul is one of those guys growing up, I guess I looked up to. Deron Williams was one of those guys, Dwyane Wade,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/chris-paul-is-one-of-those-guys-growing-up-i-guess-i-looked-up-to/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [So many people played for the Red Sox, Ted Williams, so many guys. Such great players, and they didn't get a ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-ramirez/so-many-people-played-for-the-red-sox-ted-williams-so-many-guys-such/) [Manny Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-ramirez/) > [ Muhammad Ali, the Jim Browns, the Bill Russells, Kareem \[Abdul Jabbar \], these individuals supported us, but yet still, when you sit back and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carlos/muhammad-ali-the-jim-browns-the-bill-russells-kareem-abdul-jabbar/) [John Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carlos/) > [I think the greatest all-around athlete ever was Jim Brown. He played lacrosse, basketball and ran track at Syracuse. He played professional football for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-mcdonough/i-think-the-greatest-all-around-athlete-ever-was-jim-brown-he-played/) [Will McDonough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-mcdonough/) > [My top three were Jim Brown, Wilt Chamberlain and Bo Jackson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-schaap/my-top-three-were-jim-brown-wilt-chamberlain-and-bo-jackson/) [Dick Schaap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-schaap/) > [O.J. Simpson was primarily interested in O.J. His rise to fame in the late '60s coincided with the period where black athletes were more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-edelman/o-j-simpson-was-primarily-interested-in-o-j-his-rise-to-fame-in-the/) [Ezra Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-edelman/) > [I used to imagine what it would be like to do what Jim Brown was doing. I used to imagine what it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmitt-smith/i-used-to-imagine-what-it-would-be-like-to-do-what-jim-brown-was/) [Emmitt Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmitt-smith/) > [Going against Jim Brown wasn't any different than going against Jim Taylor and any of the other guys. He's just an obstacle that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-moore/going-against-jim-brown-wasn-t-any-different-than-going-against-jim/) [Lenny Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-moore/) > [It's grossly unfair to judge Walter Payton solely on the yards he gains. He is a complete football player, better than Jim Brown, better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-finks/it-s-grossly-unfair-to-judge-walter-payton-solely-on-the-yards-he/) [Jim Finks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-finks/) > [Yeah, it's definitely special, definitely an honor to come behind Herschel Walker at Georgia and now Jim Brown. That's two greats who I've been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-chubb/yeah-it-s-definitely-special-definitely-an-honor-to-come-behind/) [Nick Chubb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-chubb/) > [You can play football and be the next Jim Brown or play baseball and be the next Reggie Jackson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-jackson/you-can-play-football-and-be-the-next-jim-brown-or-play-baseball-and/) [Reggie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-jackson/) > [There's no question that O.J. Simpson had been a substitute white man in America. He had gained honorary white status. He was not viewed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/there-s-no-question-that-o-j-simpson-had-been-a-substitute-white-man/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [ \[Sport officials\] blocked their support of us. But those individuals \[ Muhammad Ali, the Jim Browns, the Bill Russells, Kareem Abdul Jabbar \] were… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carlos/sport-officials-blocked-their-support-of-us-but-those-individuals/) [John Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carlos/) ## More by Michael Jai White > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [When I was young, I had a favorite movie star. One day, I saw one of his movies, and it was bad, and he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/when-i-was-young-i-had-a-favorite-movie-star-one-day-i-saw-one-of-his/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [People know Tyler Perry, and there are standards they've come to expect from him. His brand is uplifting, and it's something a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/people-know-tyler-perry-and-there-are-standards-they-ve-come-to/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I enjoy logic and logic puzzles. And filmmaking is one fun logic puzzle that you gotta win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/i-enjoy-logic-and-logic-puzzles-and-filmmaking-is-one-fun-logic/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [In my early childhood, I was a performer by nature. I used to do puppet shows as a kid and entertain kids in classes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/in-my-early-childhood-i-was-a-performer-by-nature-i-used-to-do-puppet/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [My favorite TV couple is Edith and Archie Bunker. Because they were such individuals that I can't imagine anyone else playing them. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/my-favorite-tv-couple-is-edith-and-archie-bunker-because-they-were/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I've never excluded myself because of color. It's never been part of the radar, when I look at anything I do. The majority of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/i-ve-never-excluded-myself-because-of-color-it-s-never-been-part-of/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [Recognizing absolutely depends on the public that I'm out with. If I'm in Atlanta, it's definitely Why Did I Get Married. If I'm in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/recognizing-absolutely-depends-on-the-public-that-i-m-out-with-if-i-m/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [There's a way that white people and black people spoke in the '70s that is nothing like how they speak now. They spoke from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/there-s-a-way-that-white-people-and-black-people-spoke-in-the-70s/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [Since I do seven different styles of martial arts, I don't foresee myself fighting the same in any two movies. I think every fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/since-i-do-seven-different-styles-of-martial-arts-i-don-t-foresee/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I don't cook. I think they named the 'Mike'-rowave after me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/i-don-t-cook-i-think-they-named-the-mike-rowave-after-me/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I've sold scripts in the past, and also a TV pilot that didn't get made, to Fox. But yeah, I've been writing for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/i-ve-sold-scripts-in-the-past-and-also-a-tv-pilot-that-didn-t-get/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I love the movie 'Taken,' but the dialogue in the beginning of that movie is hilarious. They're talking, these commando types, and there's dialogue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/i-love-the-movie-taken-but-the-dialogue-in-the-beginning-of-that/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I take every role seriously. Personally, I never look at any role as Michael White. I've done that my entire life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/i-take-every-role-seriously-personally-i-never-look-at-any-role-as/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I don't know when the last time I had fried chicken was. Must've been years. As soon as I think about eating it, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/i-don-t-know-when-the-last-time-i-had-fried-chicken-was-must-ve-been/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) [Explore all 41 Michael Jai White quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) ## More Alpha quotes > [Shut up, Jacob. Oops, Im sorry I mean, shut up, most high Alpha. -Leah Clearwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-twilight-saga-breaking-dawn/shut-up-jacob-oops-im-sorry-i-mean-shut-up-most-high-alpha-leah/) [The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-twilight-saga-breaking-dawn/) > [One glance and I knew exactly who and what he was. 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And don't worry about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/i-want-everyone-to-get-plenty-of-rest-tonight-because-tomorrow-we/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [Um, Faythe?” Marc reached for my arm, and a small grin turned up one corner of his beautiful mouth. “As my first official piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/um-faythe-marc-reached-for-my-arm-and-a-small-grin-turned-up-one/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“Where were the Kristen Ashley alpha males? I wanted one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-ulen-curtis/where-were-the-kristen-ashley-alpha-males-i-wanted-one/) [Laurel Ulen Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-ulen-curtis/) > [James is a domineering alpha male which is why I'm so attracted to him and why I sometimes hate him. And I'm a mouthy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-madeley/james-is-a-domineering-alpha-male-which-is-why-i-m-so-attracted-to/) [Chloe Madeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-madeley/) > [...the most common cause of death among alpha males was ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/the-most-common-cause-of-death-among-alpha-males-was-ego/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [“I could feel his whole body trying to claim me, want me, own me in lust, and it made me feel so valuable and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fiona-thrust/i-could-feel-his-whole-body-trying-to-claim-me-want-me-own-me-in-lust/) [Fiona Thrust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fiona-thrust/) > [“Wow. You guys are like a broken record. 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