3 questions to ask yourself about everything you do | Stacey Abrams | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In this inspiring speech, Stacey Abrams shares her personal journey, the obstacles she faced, and her determination to fight for justice.

Key Insights

• 🚌 Stacey Abrams shares a childhood experience of being denied access to the Governor's Mansion due to her socioeconomic background and possibly her race, highlighting the barriers faced by low-income individuals and people of color.
• 🗝️ She emphasizes the importance of opening the gates for marginalized communities and becoming an ally for various groups, including Latinas, Asian Americans, LGBTQ individuals, and victims of gun violence.
• 🔓 Despite facing setbacks, Abrams is determined to create change and move forward, rather than dwelling on bitterness and inaction.
• 🔍 She suggests asking three crucial questions: What do you want? Why do you want it? And how do you plan to achieve it?
• 🎯 Ambition should be pursued aggressively, setbacks should be analyzed, and mistakes from all sides must be understood for growth and progress.
• 💡 Revenge is not a valid reason for pursuing change; one must have a strong, compelling reason that keeps them passionate and motivated.
• 💰 Abrams highlights the issue of finances as a major obstacle for many dreams, but encourages individuals to not let it hinder their aspirations and suggests overcoming the challenges by discussing it openly.
• 😨 Fear can be paralyzing, but once identified, it can be used to find ways around it. Fatigue should not deter one's determination; rather, it should be seen as an opportunity to evaluate how much one truly wants to achieve their goals.
• 🌟 Abrams is dedicated to fighting for justice, driven by her belief that poverty is immoral and a stain on the nation. She plans to keep moving forward every single day to make a difference.

Transcript

When I was in high school at the age of 17 -- I graduated from high school in Decatur, Georgia, as valedictorian of my high school -- I was very proud of myself. I was from a low-income community, I had grown up in Mississippi, we'd moved from Mississippi to Georgia so my parents could pursue their degrees as United Methodist ministers. We were poo... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What was Stacey Abrams' experience as a high school valedictorian?

Stacey Abrams was proud of herself when she graduated from high school as the valedictorian in Decatur, Georgia. She came from a low-income community and had grown up in Mississippi before moving to Georgia for her parents' education.

Q: Who did Stacey Abrams get invited to meet as the valedictorian in Georgia?

As the valedictorian in Georgia, Stacey Abrams received an invitation to meet the governor of Georgia.

Q: How did Stacey Abrams and her parents travel to meet the governor?

Instead of using their own car, Stacey Abrams and her parents had to take the bus to travel to the governor's mansion. This was because they lived in a community where public transportation was the only option.

Q: What happened when Stacey Abrams and her parents arrived at the governor's mansion?

When they arrived at the governor's mansion, the guard at the gate told them that they didn't belong and that it was a private event. Stacey's father had to engage in a discussion with the guard to convince him that Stacey was one of the valedictorians and should be allowed inside.

Q: What led Stacey Abrams to want to open the gates for others?

Stacey Abrams' experience of being told she didn't belong at the governor's mansion motivated her to want to open the gates for others who have been underestimated and told they don't belong. She wanted to create equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background, race, or nationality.

Q: How did Stacey Abrams approach her race for governor in Georgia?

Stacey Abrams analyzed who she was and what she wanted to be. She asked herself three questions: What do I want? Why do I want it? And how do I get it? She wanted to bring about change and make a difference in Georgia. She focused on her ambition and understood her mistakes, while also understanding the mistakes of others.

Q: What were some of the obstacles Stacey Abrams faced in her race for governor?

Stacey Abrams faced obstacles in terms of finances, fear, and fatigue. She mentioned being in debt and how finances often limit people's dreams. Fear can be paralyzing, but she emphasized that once you know what you're afraid of, you can figure out how to overcome it. Fatigue is another obstacle, but she urged not settling for position over power and continuing to fight for what you want.

Q: What does Stacey Abrams know and how does she plan to move forward?

Stacey Abrams knows what she wants, which is justice. She believes that poverty is immoral and a stain on the nation, and she is determined to make a change. She plans to move forward every single day and continue fighting for social justice and equality.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker recalls a childhood experience of being told she didn't belong at a private event, which fueled her determination to create change and open doors for marginalized groups.

• She emphasizes the importance of being honest about one's ambition, understanding mistakes (both personal and others'), and having a clear reason for pursuing change.

• The speaker acknowledges obstacles such as financial challenges, fear, and fatigue, but encourages persistence and staying focused on one's why in order to achieve justice.