--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Black Lightning, Jefferson Pierce…" description: "\"Black Lightning, Jefferson Pierce, Thunder, and Lightning deserve their own show because they are not 'the other.' They are legitimate superheroes in t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/salim-akil-10564_exploration_black-lightning-jefferson-pierce-thunder_1900588.jpg" --- # Black Lightning, Jefferson Pierce, Thunder, and Lightning… ![“Black Lightning, Jefferson Pierce, Thunder, and Lightning deserve their own show because they are not 'the other.' They are legitimate superheroes in their own right, and so they deserve the full breadth of exploration. That's what makes them worthy, and that's why they deserve it. They are not…” quote by Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/salim-akil-10564_exploration_black-lightning-jefferson-pierce-thunder_1900588.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/salim-akil-10564_exploration_black-lightning-jefferson-pierce-thunder_1900588.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b11/salim-akil-10564_exploration_black-lightning-jefferson-pierce-thunder_1900588.jpg) > “Black Lightning, Jefferson Pierce, Thunder, and Lightning deserve their own show because they are not 'the other.' They are legitimate superheroes in their own right, and so they deserve the full breadth of exploration. That's what makes them worthy, and that's why they deserve it. They are not 'the other.' They are 'the the.'” [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The characters deserve full storytelling because they are authentic heroes, not merely marginalized figures. **In simple terms:** They are genuine heroes, not “others”. Key Takeaway Give them full narrative space. Themes representation authenticity heroism Mood inspirational critical Type analytical advocacy When to use this quote - TV casting - hero narratives - diversity initiatives Key Concepts media studies cultural equity Questions to Reflect On - How can media ensure authentic representation? - What challenges arise in expanding underrepresented stories? A Different Perspective Risk of tokenism if not handled carefully. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black Lightning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-lightning-1128097/) [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Exploration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exploration/) [Legitimate Superheroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legitimate-superheroes-2802046/) [Lightning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lightning/) [Lightning Deserve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lightning-deserve-2802045/) [Own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/own/) [Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right/) [Superheroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superheroes/) [Superheroes Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superheroes-right-2802047/) [Thunder and lightning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thunder-and-lightning/) [Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel/) ## Related quotes > [I believe what makes Black Lightning different from other superhero shows and other superheroes is that he's really, really family-oriented. You get to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nafessa-williams/i-believe-what-makes-black-lightning-different-from-other-superhero/) [Nafessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nafessa-williams/) > [Most superheroes are young or in their 20s, and as you can see with Black Lightning, he's in his mid-40s and he has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nafessa-williams/most-superheroes-are-young-or-in-their-20s-and-as-you-can-see-with/) [Nafessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nafessa-williams/) > [I think the fact that 'Black Lightning,' 'Luke Cage' and 'Black Panther' have each made noise in their own way will only lead to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheo-hodari-coker/i-think-the-fact-that-black-lightning-luke-cage-and-black-panther/) [Cheo Hodari Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheo-hodari-coker/) > [Black Lightning, Jefferson Pierce, is the American dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/black-lightning-jefferson-pierce-is-the-american-dream/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [What I saw in Black Lightning, Jefferson Pierce, even the villains, are aspects of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/what-i-saw-in-black-lightning-jefferson-pierce-even-the-villains-are/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [It's a wonderful thing to see 'Wonder Woman' directed by a woman. That did have an affect on the character, the , and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-to-see-wonder-woman-directed-by-a-woman-that/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [If anyone sees anything in 'Black Lightning' that seems foreign to them, then they haven't been paying attention. This is a uniquely American experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/if-anyone-sees-anything-in-black-lightning-that-seems-foreign-to-them/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [If I'm walking down the street or taking my kids trick-or-treating, and I see some young girls or boys who are dressed up like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/if-i-m-walking-down-the-street-or-taking-my-kids-trick-or-treating/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [We don't have a lot of black superheroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/we-don-t-have-a-lot-of-black-superheroes/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [On 'Black Lightning' I have a stunt double who's a lot younger than me. The fighting style on the show is heavily martial arts-based,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cress-williams/on-black-lightning-i-have-a-stunt-double-who-s-a-lot-younger-than-me/) [Cress Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cress-williams/) > [I still have my first 'Black Lightning' that I got way back in the day, and my first 'Steel.' And I proudly display those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/i-still-have-my-first-black-lightning-that-i-got-way-back-in-the-day/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [Most superhero shows are set in an alternative universe. 'Black Lightning' is literally in the hood. He's going inside of the ghetto and trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nafessa-williams/most-superhero-shows-are-set-in-an-alternative-universe-black/) [Nafessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nafessa-williams/) > [It's very necessary, showing the positive aspect of a black father. We see a lot of black women being the head of the household…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nafessa-williams/it-s-very-necessary-showing-the-positive-aspect-of-a-black-father-we/) [Nafessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nafessa-williams/) > [It's nice to be a part of a show I was passionate about and that's pushing the culture forward. I feel 'Black Lightning' is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nafessa-williams/it-s-nice-to-be-a-part-of-a-show-i-was-passionate-about-and-that-s/) [Nafessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nafessa-williams/) > [To come and turn the TV on and see Black Lightning trying to make a change and being a leader and stepping up, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nafessa-williams/to-come-and-turn-the-tv-on-and-see-black-lightning-trying-to-make-a/) [Nafessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nafessa-williams/) ## More by Salim Akil > [Jefferson Pierce is the epitome of what black men are: He loves his wife, his children, and the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/jefferson-pierce-is-the-epitome-of-what-black-men-are-he-loves-his/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [Michael Schultz's 'Cooley High' is a classic. Oftentimes, we don't get to see films about coming of age, especially for young African Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/michael-schultz-s-cooley-high-is-a-classic-oftentimes-we-don-t-get-to/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [As an artist, I write and I do what I know and what creatively comes out of me, and I think that other artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/as-an-artist-i-write-and-i-do-what-i-know-and-what-creatively-comes/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [Every time I get an opportunity to do what I love to do, it's huge. It never gets old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/every-time-i-get-an-opportunity-to-do-what-i-love-to-do-it-s-huge-it/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [When you're young, taking a risk doesn't necessarily feel like a risk because you're young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/when-you-re-young-taking-a-risk-doesn-t-necessarily-feel-like-a-risk/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [I don't walk around all the time thinking of myself as African American, but oftentimes in Hollywood, you are reminded of that in ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/i-don-t-walk-around-all-the-time-thinking-of-myself-as-african/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [It's a wonderful thing to see 'Wonder Woman' directed by a woman. That did have an affect on the character, the , and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-to-see-wonder-woman-directed-by-a-woman-that/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [There are so many families who do not come up in a traditional household. African Americans, Latins, and, I'm sure, whites as well, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/there-are-so-many-families-who-do-not-come-up-in-a-traditional/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [Come election time, black and white politicians put on their costumes of compassion and care, shake black hands, kiss black babies, sing 'We Shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/come-election-time-black-and-white-politicians-put-on-their-costumes/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [When you see a superhero that looks like you and lives in and fights in a neighborhood that is sort of like yours, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/when-you-see-a-superhero-that-looks-like-you-and-lives-in-and-fights/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [It doesn't make sense to constantly talk about the lack of diversity in Hollywood. We all know it's there. My wife and I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/it-doesn-t-make-sense-to-constantly-talk-about-the-lack-of-diversity/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [If you bury me in a grave, don't ever come visit - because you won't find me there. You'll find me in the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/if-you-bury-me-in-a-grave-don-t-ever-come-visit-because-you-won-t/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [It's less about Trump and more about the people... If the American people are willing to elect someone like that president, then that's more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/it-s-less-about-trump-and-more-about-the-people-if-the-american/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [If I see one kid dressed up like Thunder or Lightning or Black Lightning, I'll feel like I influenced the culture in a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/if-i-see-one-kid-dressed-up-like-thunder-or-lightning-or-black/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [America has a strange relationship with its racial memory. Death has always been a constant companion of black people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/america-has-a-strange-relationship-with-its-racial-memory-death-has/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) [Explore all 64 Salim Akil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) ## More Comic quotes > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I always loved as a kid reading 'Spider-Man,' and the 'Fantastic Four' would show up... it was all about that larger universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-reed/i-always-loved-as-a-kid-reading-spider-man-and-the-fantastic-four/) [Peyton Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-reed/) > [One of the key characteristics of the comic book medium is that it is not brought to life by just one voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-lee/one-of-the-key-characteristics-of-the-comic-book-medium-is-that-it-is/) [Jim Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-lee/) > [I identify with Superman. I am adopted, I am an only child, and I love the idea that he comes from another world, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-identify-with-superman-i-am-adopted-i-am-an-only-child-and-i-love/) [Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/) > [Before World War II, I was living a very cloistered existence, as most cartoonists do. The work I was pouring out did not come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-eisner/before-world-war-ii-i-was-living-a-very-cloistered-existence-as-most/) [Will Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-eisner/) > [If you look at Marvel Comics, there are very few Marvel characters I would like to write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-ennis/if-you-look-at-marvel-comics-there-are-very-few-marvel-characters-i/) [Garth Ennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-ennis/) > [The big problem for comic art is you don't want to overwork it. If a drawing is overworked it isn't funny. It's the spontaneity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sorel/the-big-problem-for-comic-art-is-you-don-t-want-to-overwork-it-if-a/) [Edward Sorel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sorel/) > [Leslie Stein's comics give readers privileged access to a complete and wholly original world of gently skewed wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-woodring/leslie-stein-s-comics-give-readers-privileged-access-to-a-complete/) [Jim Woodring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-woodring/) > [I've certainly seen a lot of my cartoonist friends embrace 'Little Lulu' in a much deeper way because their kids love it so much.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/i-ve-certainly-seen-a-lot-of-my-cartoonist-friends-embrace-little/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [Batman doesn't have any superpowers. He's not superhuman. He's not super. So therefore he can't be a superhero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-silvey/batman-doesn-t-have-any-superpowers-he-s-not-superhuman-he-s-not/) [Craig Silvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-silvey/) > [When I was writing 'Black Panther,' on one level, I was angry because DC would never let me write 'Batman,' so I was doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-priest/when-i-was-writing-black-panther-on-one-level-i-was-angry-because-dc/) [Christopher Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-priest/) > [I was really into the first 'Spider-Man' films with Tobey Maguire, so it's pretty cool how it all came full circle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-batalon/i-was-really-into-the-first-spider-man-films-with-tobey-maguire-so-it/) [Jacob Batalon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-batalon/) > [Most men are secretly still mad at their mothers for throwing away their comic books. They would be valuable now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/most-men-are-secretly-still-mad-at-their-mothers-for-throwing-away/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) > [I'll only diet for a Marvel movie. I will give up bacon and waffles to be Storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-james/i-ll-only-diet-for-a-marvel-movie-i-will-give-up-bacon-and-waffles-to/) [Janelle James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-james/) > [You've seen the first issue and what happened in the last page. Some pretty awful stuff. I don't know why I seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-shalvey/you-ve-seen-the-first-issue-and-what-happened-in-the-last-page-some/) [Declan Shalvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-shalvey/) [Browse all 5,841 Comic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Black Lightning, Jefferson Pierce, Thunder, and Lightning deserve their own show because they are not 'the other.' They are legitimate superheroes in their own right, and so they deserve the full breadth of exploration. That's what makes them worthy, and that's why they deserve it. They are not 'the other.' 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