Black Lightning may be on hiatus until this fall, but that doesn’t stop fans from constantly mulling over the show’s themes of family, sacrifice, and what it means to not only be a hero, but also Black in America.

The DC Comics series is only two seasons in, but it has already broken major ground by bringing a Black meta-human family into the forefront and juxtaposing their frustrations over what’s happening to their community alongside the boundaries they have to set for themselves as vigilantes.

The inclusion of the Green Light epidemic, the 100 gang, police brutality, and racial divide have led to some incredibly impactful moments and memorable quotes. But, Black Lightning also balances the heavier subject material with sweet family moments and well-placed humor that’s 100% tweet worthy.

It would be virtually impossible to pull every single amazing line from this series, but these Black Lightning quotes are a great sample of what fans absolutely love about the show.

‘Black Lightning’ quotes

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as recited by Jefferson Pierce

Jefferson/Black Lightning let viewers know immediately where he stood during a car ride home with his activist daughter Anissa and teenage Jennifer. Throughout the series, he has served as a moral compass who refuses to use his powers to kill others and wants to do the right thing by bringing people to legal justice.

It’s clear that he has instilled great values, and quotes, into his daughters, but it’s also evident that they have developed their own views of the world. Anissa rightfully challenges him with a Fannie Lou Hamer quote that sums up how so many Black people have felt after years of violence and oppression – “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!”

Their differences have presented major challenges throughout the series with Anissa taking on a Robin Hood-esque role and stepping over legal lines to help Freeland’s residents, much to Jefferson’s chagrin. And now Jennifer is in the mix with views that mirror her older sister’s point-of-view.

It’s an interesting and ongoing conversation that many other hero shows haven’t tackled from this perspective.

“I’ve been living a lie, living in the hopes that you and me and the girls could somehow live behind a white picket fence. A normal life. I’m not normal. Never have been! Never will be!” – Jefferson Pierce

There are no lies detected in this statement. As much as Jefferson wishes he could have a regular life with his family and leave Black Lightning behind, there’s no way that this respected community leader would be able to turn a blind eye to the social ills surrounding him every day.

It’s a truth that Lynn had to finally accept, especially after discovering that her girls are also metas.

“These powers are a blessing from God.” -Anissa Pierce

Are powers a blessing or a curse? Anissa and Jennifer’s vastly different reactions to their powers was one of the most intriguing aspects of the first two seasons.

As an activist and medical professional, Anissa felt like God had given her the extra tool she needed to effect change in Freeland. She immediately taught herself how to hone her powers and became entrenched in fighting crime.

Meanwhile, Jennifer was completely horrified by her abilities and spent a lot of time wishing that she could go back to being normal. People who are born with or inherit powers are usually hype like Anissa, but it was important to show that not everyone would be thrilled about being different.

Anissa is all about that hero lifestyle, whereas Jennifer has now started to simply accept what she is meant to be. And, Jefferson is somewhere in the middle in terms of how he views his abilities.

“For generations, Black women have come here to talk, to share, to laugh, to cry, to be safe in the world. Black beauticians have influenced politics and been foot soldiers in the fight for freedom. Did you know that profits from shops like this paid for buses to get people to the march on Washington.” – Perenna

Perenna is one of the most interesting characters introduced in season 2. She helped Jennifer learn to control her powers to exist in a normal world at the least and go on a hero’s trajectory at best.

She brought Jennifer to a place where she would feel safe to express herself and find a centering place in the midst of chaos – the Black beauty salon.

It is indeed a place where Black women are able to seek solace in each other and speak freely about womanhood, motherhood, dreams, aspirations, pop culture, and everything in between where they won’t be harshly judged, interrupted, and mansplained to every five seconds.

This scene and dialogue is one of the brilliant touches that only Black writers would think to add into the narrative.

“The system? You mean the system that let Tobias get away with shooting me and Reverend Holt? The same system that let him rip my spine out of my back? You mean the system that let him get away with murdering your father? Mr. P, is that the system that you’re talking about? Huh? You promise me that you will make him suffer like me.” -Khalil Payne

Khalil’s impassioned monologue to Jefferson on his death bed (at the time…cause he’s alive now, right?) is one of the most powerful moments in the series. His response to Jefferson wanting to let the authorities handle justice instead of killing Tobias brings up that gray area that heroes have to face all the time.

There’s the reality of systemic structures that work to the detriment of marginalized people but also the sliver of hope and belief in the “good guys” like Detective Henderson who want to use their positions of authority to fight for justice. And, what happens to a hero’s conscience and moral compass if they decided to take someone’s life?

This scene is one of the reasons why Black Lightning is one of the best shows on TV right now.

“Your car got hit by Lightning. You wanna call the police on God?” -Jennifer

Jennifer’s humorous response to a White woman of the BBQ Becky variety is a highlight in the series. It stirred up mixed emotions of vindication from her getting back at this woman by torching her car and unease at how equally ridiculous yet familiar this woman’s lies were against Jennifer during a time of grief.

“We cannot let this world put out the fire that our ancestors lit that carried us through the darkness” – Reverend Holt

A WORD. A MESSAGE. PREACH! This quote resonates deeply when you think about what Black people have had to endure and survive as a people.

There’s still such a long way to go, but we can’t back down and allow others to dim the light our of ancestors.

“I am unlike other men. The laws of convention and morality do not apply to me.” Tobias

This loose interpretation of a Napoleon quote certainly applies to Tobias, who is physically and socially in a different place from other men. He’s virtually indestructible, strong, and lives outside the law with a string of powerful connections and a public persona that has most people fooled.

Tobias has been playing chess while others are still learning checkers and it won’t be surprising if he finds his way out of a meta prison to return for more drama in Freeland. And, to be honest, this quote applies to Black Lightning, Thunder, Lightning, and all the other meta-humans in the universe.

Thankfully, Black Lightning season 2 is available for everyone’s Netflix viewing and quote collecting pleasure. And, there will be even more epic moments and powerful quotes to come in season 3.