STILL I RISE - Best Motivational Video | Serena Williams | Maya Angelou

Summary

In an inspiring speech, the speaker emphasizes that age is irrelevant when it comes to achieving goals, sharing personal struggles and triumphs along the way. Overcoming health challenges, discrimination, and criticism, they highlight their journey to 21 Grand Slam titles, illustrating resilience and strength. Quoting Maya Angelou, they convey a powerful message about rising above adversity and embodying hope and dreams. The speaker's narrative reflects the importance of perseverance, urging listeners to embrace their own journeys and aspirations.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Everyone, regardless of age, can achieve their goals.
• 💪 Personal journeys often include struggles and hardships.
• 🩸 The speaker overcame serious health issues, such as blood clots in the lungs.
• 👩‍🎤 The speaker faced discrimination based on race and gender.
• 🏆 Critics doubted the speaker's ability to win more titles, yet they persevered.
• 📈 The speaker has achieved 21 Grand Slam titles, showcasing resilience.
• 📜 Historical struggles are acknowledged and form part of personal identity.
• 🌊 The speaker compares their resilience to natural phenomena, like rising tides.
• 🌅 A hopeful future emerges from overcoming past pain and fear.
• 💖 The speaker embodies the dreams and hopes of those who have faced oppression.

Q & A

What message does the speaker convey about age and achievement?

The speaker emphasizes that age does not determine one's ability to achieve goals, encouraging everyone to pursue their dreams regardless of their age.

What challenges has the speaker faced in their life?

The speaker has experienced significant challenges, including blood clots in both lungs, various personal tragedies, and being overlooked due to their race and gender.

How does the speaker respond to critics who doubted their success?

The speaker confidently states that they have overcome criticism, having achieved 21 Grand Slam titles despite being told they would never win another.

What literary devices are used in the speaker's message?

The speaker employs metaphors and imagery, such as 'dust rising' and 'black ocean leaping wide,' to convey resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

What does the phrase 'you may write me down in history with your bitter twisted lies' suggest?

This phrase suggests that the speaker acknowledges attempts to marginalize their achievements and distort their narrative, yet remains undeterred and resilient.

How does the speaker define their identity in relation to history?

The speaker identifies with a history rooted in pain and struggle but asserts their emergence as a powerful figure who rises above that history.

What does the speaker mean by 'I rise into the daybreak that's wonderfully clear'?

This line signifies hope and a bright future, highlighting the speaker's journey from struggle to triumph and their optimistic outlook.

What is the significance of the repeated phrase 'I rise'?

The repetition of 'I rise' emphasizes the theme of resilience, illustrating the speaker's unwavering determination to overcome obstacles and succeed.

How does the speaker view the concept of dreams and hopes?

The speaker embodies the dreams and hopes of those who have faced oppression, asserting that they represent the aspirations of those who came before them.

What overall theme is presented in the speaker's message?

The overall theme centers on resilience, empowerment, and the ability to rise above challenges, emphasizing strength in adversity and the pursuit of one's dreams.