In 2008, a journalist with “The Atlantic” interviewed renowned poet Maya Angelou about race, feminism, and how to break down the barriers many people face in life. Prejudices “have been built over centuries,” Angelou said, and we can’t break through them immediately. Angelou encouraged readers not to be discouraged or disheartened if the hard work doesn’t pay off right away, because with persistence, eventually we’ll see some success — and a little bit of success can be the best motivator to keep trying. “We mustn't run out of steam," she said, "but keep plugging away."