[Death by Mirrors]

I really like Nia the way you describe it. Greatness has always been there, just not so visible and/or overshadowed by other events. For example in our History class we used to learn exactly two things about people of African descent: they were shipped as slaves, and some guy named Martin Luther King gave a famous speech. No word about activists like Harriet Tubman or Sojourner Truth, neither any mention of scientists like Katherine Johnson or Dorothy Vaughan.

Of course every country will focus on its own history and only briefly touch others, so I imagine US history might mention more (or simply different) people. Nevertheless if you look closely there has always been more to say than just "uh, they're a bunch of former slaves who were treated as second grade citizens back in the fifties".

I think it's worthwile to remember what great deeds your ancestors have done (and what "small" deeds that won't make it into the history books but still can be a great source of pride) and think about how you want to achieve greatness in your own life.