Ask yourself Quote by Kathryn Stockett
““Constantine sat down next to me, at the kitchen table, I heard the cracking of her swollen joints. She pressed her thumb hard in the palm of my hand, something we both knew meant 'Listen to me.' "Every morning, until you dead in the ground, you gone have to make this decision." Constantine was so close, I could see the blackness of her gums. "You gone have to ask yourself, am I gone believe what them fools say about me today?" She kept her thumb pressed hard in my hand. I nodded that I understood. I was just smart enough to realize she meant white people. And even though I still felt miserable, and knew that I was, most likely, ugly, it was the first time she ever talked to me like I was something besides my mother's white child. All my life I'd been told what to believe about politics, coloreds, being a girl. But with Constantine's thumb pressed in my hand, I realized I actually had a choice in what I could believe.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Help by Kathryn Stockett, 2009
A mentor figure urges personal agency against societal pressures, highlighting the power of choosing one’s own beliefs despite systemic oppression.
In simple terms: Choose your own beliefs despite pressure.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and act on personal agency.
Themes
identity
agency
oppression
mentorship
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
narrative
inspirational
When to use this quote
- racial injustice
- personal growth
- education
- self‑esteem
Key Concepts
critical consciousness
self‑determination
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you assert agency when faced with entrenched prejudice?
- What steps help you redefine self‑worth?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes the listener can easily change deep‑seated beliefs, which may be unrealistic.
