A Different World (TV Series)

The Cat's in the Cradle (1992)

Dean Cain: Eddie

Photos 

Quotes 

• Eddie : My grandfather came to this country with nothing. He couldn't even speak the language. But he worked hard and made a place for himself and his family. Now why can't you people do the same?

  Dwayne Wayne : Hey, my grandfather built this country, man! He fought wars for it! And most places he went wouldn't let him sit down and get a cup of coffee. I can't even catch a cab in New York. You know, it doesn't matter how many degrees I get. All you people see is color. Your grandfather was an immigrant. You're American. My grandfather was born here, Duke. And you people still look at me as just another nigger.

  J.C. : [sarcastically claps]  Riveting history lesson.

• Rick : JC, he's right.

  Eddie : What did you say?

  Rick : I said he's right! I'm not at A&M because quotas kept me out of another school. I'm here because I always wanted to go here. You know, when I was growing up, I used to play all the time with Black kids, and I never thought anything about it. Then, one day, I must've been about nine, I was fishing with my dad and uncle. My dad told my uncle this joke. Said, What do you call a Negro physician from Virginia? A nigger. I'd heard that word before, but never from my father. See, he probably wouldn't have minded what we did today, but I'm ashamed and I'm sorry.

• Campus Security : Well, might as well get comfortable, cause nobody's going anywhere until we get to the how and the why this happened.

  Dwayne Wayne : The answer is on his car.

  J.C. : All that was written on the car was "NI." Maybe whoever sprayed it was spelling "nice." As in, "Have a nice day?"

  [Eddie snickers] 

  Dwayne Wayne : You know I'm about ready to slap that stupid smile off your face, man?

  J.C. : See, there it is again, the violence.

  Dwayne Wayne : You think you can get over on anybody, right? Anywhere? No, not me, and not today!

  J.C. : Who are you?

  Eddie : That's just it. He's nobody.

  Dwayne Wayne : No, I am an educated Black man, your worst nightmare, punk!

• Eddie : [about Whitley]  Now, that is a Black girl worth doin'.

• Campus Security : See you next Saturday!

  Ron Johnson : What? For what?

  Campus Security : For more. Oh, for much more, so that things can change.

  Eddie : Hey, I'm not spending my Saturdays singing We Are The World.

  Campus Security : Oh, you think you have a choice? Unless maybe your hard-working family would like to hear you've been kicked outta school. Oh, and, uh, bring a snack. I like donuts.

• Eddie : Me, J.C., and Rick met at the coffee shop like we always do on game day. I had scrambled eggs with a side of bacon.

  Campus Security : Oh, with or without ketchup? Tell the damn story!

• Ron Johnson : [in the A&M boys' version of the story]  Maybe you white boys oughta have a few more brothers on your team.

  J.C. : Are you implying that whites can't play as well as blacks?

  Ron Johnson : I'm sayin' check out the score, it's there for you in *black* and white.

  Eddie : So, what, blacks are superior?

  Ron Johnson : Oh no, only in football, basketball, and track. And you know what yo woman says? Once you go black you never go back.

• Campus Security : Why did you do it, son?

  Eddie : He was in my face!

  Campus Security : Oh, now there's a reason!

  Eddie : No, it's because of how they are!

  Campus Security : How are they?

  Eddie : You know!

  Campus Security : No, I don't. Tell me.

  Eddie : They have no respect. They don't care about this country at all. All they do is sit on their butt and complain!

  J.C. : And what do they have to complain about? It's because of them and their quotas I'm not in the Ivy league where I belong!

  Ron Johnson : You all had quotas for centuries! You call them legacies, restricted country clubs, the Law!