Twice as good half the worth
from Help The People Hosted by shannonriley1
Many people use the words confidence and self-esteem as if they mean the same thing. They don’t. Confidence is believing in your ability to perform a task. Self-esteem is believing in your inherent worth as a person. Someone can be extremely capable, talented, and accomplished while still quietly questioning whether they deserve the opportunities and rewards that come with their abilities. In this episode of Help the People, Shannon Riley explores the psychological difference between confidence and self-esteem and why many Foundational Black Americans have historically developed one while struggling with the other. Through generations of survival, adaptation, and cultural innovation, FBA communities have cultivated remarkable confidence in their abilities. Yet societal messaging, systemic barriers, and internalized narratives have often complicated the development of self-esteem. This conversation examines how historical pressure to “be twice as good” shaped identity, how internalized narratives form, and what it means to reclaim a sense of worth that was never meant to be negotiated. Confidence may help us survive. Self-esteem is what allows us to live fully. This episode is a reflection on identity, dignity, and the quiet work of reclaiming personal and collective worth.
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