--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was an event whenever 'CHiPs' would…" description: "\"It was an event whenever 'CHiPs' would come on in my house. There wasn't a lot of Latin people being hired to star in TV shows or movies back in the da..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b4/michael-pena-3926_asian_it-was-an-event-whenever-chips-would-com_650136.jpg" --- # It was an event whenever 'CHiPs' would come on in my… ![“It was an event whenever 'CHiPs' would come on in my house. There wasn't a lot of Latin people being hired to star in TV shows or movies back in the day. Not only was it a fun show, there was a Latino starring in it - so we thought it was extra cool.” quote by Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b4/michael-pena-3926_asian_it-was-an-event-whenever-chips-would-com_650136.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b4/michael-pena-3926_asian_it-was-an-event-whenever-chips-would-com_650136.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b4/michael-pena-3926_asian_it-was-an-event-whenever-chips-would-com_650136.jpg) > “It was an event whenever 'CHiPs' would come on in my house. There wasn't a lot of Latin people being hired to star in TV shows or movies back in the day. Not only was it a fun show, there was a Latino starring in it - so we thought it was extra cool.” [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing a Latino actor on a mainstream TV show was rare and felt exciting, highlighting representation gaps in media. **In simple terms:** Seeing a Latino actor on TV was exciting and rare. Key Takeaway Celebrate and support diverse representation. Themes representation media culture visibility pride Mood proud nostalgic reflective Type cultural inspirational historical When to use this quote - family TV watching - media analysis - advocacy for casting - educational discussions about media history Key Concepts diversity media representation cultural impact Questions to Reflect On - How does representation affect personal identity? - What other shows broke barriers? A Different Perspective The impact may be limited if the show itself perpetuates stereotypes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian/) [Chips Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chips-come-5201272/) [Cool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cool/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Fun Latino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun-latino-5201270/) [House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/house/) [Latin People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin-people-1432931/) [Latino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latino/) [Latino Starring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latino-starring-5201271/) [Movies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movies/) [Tv shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tv-shows/) ## Related quotes > [People say we're all identical, but Jennifer Lopez is an American. She's from New York. She doesn't have an accent. 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Even if you haven't been on TV for thirty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-estrada/listen-the-latin-people-i-love-the-latin-people-they-are-so-loyal-to/) [Erik Estrada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-estrada/) > [There were no Latin people on 'Star Trek,' that this was proof that they weren't planning to have us around for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/there-were-no-latin-people-on-star-trek-that-this-was-proof-that-they/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [When you are not in agreement with someone, we Latin people are loud when we argue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aroldis-chapman/when-you-are-not-in-agreement-with-someone-we-latin-people-are-loud/) [Aroldis Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aroldis-chapman/) > [I would invite all Latin people to do nothing for about two weeks so you can see who really, really is running the economy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-santana/i-would-invite-all-latin-people-to-do-nothing-for-about-two-weeks-so/) [Carlos Santana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-santana/) > [“The people of North America have little idea of religion, but they have strict public morality. The Latin people are without morality but they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-marnham/the-people-of-north-america-have-little-idea-of-religion-but-they/) [Patrick Marnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-marnham/) > [So many people, my friends and family, were all saying, "You're so funny. Why don't you become a comedian or an actor?" But it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/so-many-people-my-friends-and-family-were-all-saying-you-re-so-funny/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [Unfortunately, I don't look as Latin as I am. I get called a white guy a lot, but I am very proud of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-guzman/unfortunately-i-don-t-look-as-latin-as-i-am-i-get-called-a-white-guy/) [Ryan Guzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-guzman/) > [The support I've had from all Latin people, and Mexico especially, has allowed me to conquer my alcoholism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-jose/the-support-i-ve-had-from-all-latin-people-and-mexico-especially-has/) [Jose Jose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-jose/) > [My first ten years in Hollywood were really tough. I'd be coaching friends who came to me for acting advice, and then they'd make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/my-first-ten-years-in-hollywood-were-really-tough-i-d-be-coaching/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [“Latino history is like a river dividing the United States and Mexico. It is shared by several different cultures and called by many different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilan-stavans/latino-history-is-like-a-river-dividing-the-united-states-and-mexico/) [Ilan Stavans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilan-stavans/) > [All my life I've been involved with racial politics. I was a Freedom Rider in the South. I was the author of books on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hayden/all-my-life-i-ve-been-involved-with-racial-politics-i-was-a-freedom/) [Tom Hayden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hayden/) > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [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/) ## More by Michael Pena > [I was in L.A., like, four months, and I got my first part. Then I was like, 'OK, I'm staying.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-was-in-l-a-like-four-months-and-i-got-my-first-part-then-i-was-like/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [Kicks to the legs, they're not very cool. They're brutal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/kicks-to-the-legs-they-re-not-very-cool-they-re-brutal/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [There's a bigger percentage of good cops than bad cops. But the bad cops should be penalised like regular people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/there-s-a-bigger-percentage-of-good-cops-than-bad-cops-but-the-bad/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I grew up in the ghetto, and the thing is when there were problems, I knew when to get away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-grew-up-in-the-ghetto-and-the-thing-is-when-there-were-problems-i/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I think, in any debate, you have to respect the other person's point of view, if you agree or disagree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-think-in-any-debate-you-have-to-respect-the-other-person-s-point-of/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I didn't realise I lived in the ghetto until we moved out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-didn-t-realise-i-lived-in-the-ghetto-until-we-moved-out/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [The joy of 'Crash' was that it was all about the work. It was my first real part. Before that, it was a line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/the-joy-of-crash-was-that-it-was-all-about-the-work-it-was-my-first/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I don't think people are experiencing superhero fatigue. Do you hear people complaining that there are too many action movies? I think it's good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-don-t-think-people-are-experiencing-superhero-fatigue-do-you-hear/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I think that when you’re doing a comedy and it makes you laugh, there’s a certain… like you can reject it, and it’s okay.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-think-that-when-you-re-doing-a-comedy-and-it-makes-you-laugh-there/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I thought of myself as an individual ever since I was little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-thought-of-myself-as-an-individual-ever-since-i-was-little/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I just wanted to be a part of something that's a horror movie that scares you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-just-wanted-to-be-a-part-of-something-that-s-a-horror-movie-that/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I don't know why - I have a ton of books: five full cabinets of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-don-t-know-why-i-have-a-ton-of-books-five-full-cabinets-of-them/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I feel really comfortable with going for the reality of the drama, but I'm not much for the comedy of it. You have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-feel-really-comfortable-with-going-for-the-reality-of-the-drama-but/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [The reason I love Lollapalooza is because it's a great music festival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/the-reason-i-love-lollapalooza-is-because-it-s-a-great-music-festival/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) > [I was in really good shape after I finished this movie, 'End of Watch.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/i-was-in-really-good-shape-after-i-finished-this-movie-end-of-watch/) [Michael Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) [Explore all 119 Michael Pena quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pena/) ## More Asian quotes > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [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/) > [If you do a black character or a female character or an Asian character, then they aren't just that character. They represent that race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-mcduffie/if-you-do-a-black-character-or-a-female-character-or-an-asian/) [Dwayne McDuffie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-mcduffie/) > [When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/when-i-made-it-i-still-didn-t-wave-the-flag-and-say-yeah-go-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [When you are in America, at least for me, as an immigrant, I try to be as Americanized as I could. I just want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-o-yang/when-you-are-in-america-at-least-for-me-as-an-immigrant-i-try-to-be/) [Jimmy O. Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-o-yang/) > [I always tell Asian actors, especially Filipinos wanting to break into Hollywood, to study, study and study and show their best. I haven't stopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-lee/i-always-tell-asian-actors-especially-filipinos-wanting-to-break-into/) [Reggie Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-lee/) > [The narrative needs to change. Asian-American actresses don't want to be the damsels in distress anymore. We don't want to be saved, especially by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-chung/the-narrative-needs-to-change-asian-american-actresses-don-t-want-to/) [Jamie Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-chung/) > [It's always fun to see faces that are either familiar or resemble yours. I was fascinated by movies like 'Big Trouble in Little China'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ng-chin-han/it-s-always-fun-to-see-faces-that-are-either-familiar-or-resemble/) [Ng Chin Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ng-chin-han/) > [In view of China's growing military strength and intentions, the best way to safeguard Asia's permanent peace and prosperity is to have all Asian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-costa/in-view-of-china-s-growing-military-strength-and-intentions-the-best/) [Jim Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-costa/) > [I think Li Na and some other Chinese ladies have done so many amazing things for Asian tennis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kei-nishikori/i-think-li-na-and-some-other-chinese-ladies-have-done-so-many-amazing/) [Kei Nishikori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kei-nishikori/) > [I don't want to have people brought in simply because they are black or Asian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-phillips/i-don-t-want-to-have-people-brought-in-simply-because-they-are-black/) [Trevor Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-phillips/) > [We grew up in rural Arkansas without any Koreans close by, and when I go to Korea feel out of place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-isaac-chung/we-grew-up-in-rural-arkansas-without-any-koreans-close-by-and-when-i/) [Lee Isaac Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-isaac-chung/) > [I've been lucky to come up when there's such a huge explosion of women, and especially Asian women, in music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-zauner/i-ve-been-lucky-to-come-up-when-there-s-such-a-huge-explosion-of/) [Michelle Zauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-zauner/) > [I knew I was half Chinese, but Iceland is so homogenous that I wasn't able to identify with the Asian part of myself. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/i-knew-i-was-half-chinese-but-iceland-is-so-homogenous-that-i-wasn-t/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) [Browse all 1,157 Asian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was an event whenever 'CHiPs' would come on in my house. There wasn't a lot of Latin people being hired to star in TV shows or movies back in the day. Not only was it a fun show, there was a Latino starring in it - so we thought it was extra cool.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Pena" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/it-was-an-event-whenever-chips-would-come-on-in-my-house-there-wasn-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pena/it-was-an-event-whenever-chips-would-come-on-in-my-house-there-wasn-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b4/michael-pena-3926_asian_it-was-an-event-whenever-chips-would-com_650136.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b4/michael-pena-3926_asian_it-was-an-event-whenever-chips-would-com_650136.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b4/michael-pena-3926_asian_it-was-an-event-whenever-chips-would-com_650136.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It was an event whenever 'CHiPs' would come on in my house. 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