--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If Id lived prior to the 1980s, it would…" description: "\"If Id lived prior to the 1980s, it would have been different, because I would have been playing to prove African Americans are equal. Now, I dont neces..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/venus-williams-1365_african-american_if-id-lived-prior-to-the-1980s-it-would_2338841.jpg" --- # If Id lived prior to the 1980s, it would have been… ![“If Id lived prior to the 1980s, it would have been different, because I would have been playing to prove African Americans are equal. Now, I dont necessarily feel I have to play for black people, because obviously theyre doing everything in all sports. If I can go out there and play for myself and…” quote by Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/venus-williams-1365_african-american_if-id-lived-prior-to-the-1980s-it-would_2338841.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/venus-williams-1365_african-american_if-id-lived-prior-to-the-1980s-it-would_2338841.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/venus-williams-1365_african-american_if-id-lived-prior-to-the-1980s-it-would_2338841.jpg) > “If Id lived prior to the 1980s, it would have been different, because I would have been playing to prove African Americans are equal. Now, I dont necessarily feel I have to play for black people, because obviously theyre doing everything in all sports. If I can go out there and play for myself and not feel I have to stand for something other than what I want to do, thats good.” [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She no no longer feels she must represent an entire race, focusing on personal performance. **In simple terms:** She plays for herself, not as a symbol. Key Takeaway Play for personal excellence. Themes identity sports racial equality Mood reflective empowering Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - competing in professional sports - public speaking - mentoring young athletes Key Concepts individualism representation self-determination Questions to Reflect On - Do you feel pressure to represent a group? - How does personal focus affect performance? A Different Perspective Balancing personal goals with societal expectations can be tough. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [1980S Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/1980s-different-5653066/) [African american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) [African americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-americans/) [Americans Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-equal-5653067/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-people/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Doing Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-sports-2568617/) [Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Prior 1980S](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prior-1980s-5653065/) [Prove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Stand for something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stand-for-something/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [I do think that it's a responsibility when there are so few of us as African Americans to kind of get to that place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-do-think-that-it-s-a-responsibility-when-there-are-so-few-of-us-as/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I've thought about doing sports psychology at university, but it's quite hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-simmonds/i-ve-thought-about-doing-sports-psychology-at-university-but-it-s/) [Ellie Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-simmonds/) > [We were doing sports. 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Instead it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ryden/people-have-the-idea-that-an-image-must-stand-for-something-else-that/) [Mark Ryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ryden/) > [Kids these days are kind of going back to Tupac and Snoop Doggy Dogg as examples of people that stand for something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-davis/kids-these-days-are-kind-of-going-back-to-tupac-and-snoop-doggy-dogg/) [Angela Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-davis/) > [If you don't stand for something, how can anyone respect what you do?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-lambert/if-you-don-t-stand-for-something-how-can-anyone-respect-what-you-do/) [Miranda Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-lambert/) > [There is no more a 'political middle' than there is a family in America with 2.3 children. People with opinions take sides. 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I just feel like dancing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/i-feel-amazing-right-now-i-just-feel-like-dancing/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [To stay interested in tennis, I have to mix it up with other things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/to-stay-interested-in-tennis-i-have-to-mix-it-up-with-other-things/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [Grand Slam losses are hard. I treat myself after losses though, I usually go to McDonald's and I have a hamburger and you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/grand-slam-losses-are-hard-i-treat-myself-after-losses-though-i/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [It's a nice bonus but, you know, I have to pay taxes too. 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