Post by saseitz38 on May 21, 2012 22:01:01 GMT -5
Maya Angelou is hailed as a global renaissance woman, and a truly “Phenomenal woman” at that. Her passion for the arts is evidenced by her varied career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, director, and writer. She is also a celebrated civil rights activist.
Angelou was born in 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. At the age of three, her parents divorced and she was sent to live with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. There, Angelou was exposed to the brutality of racial discrimination that was rooted deep in the American South. But at the same time, her grandmother and extended family instilled in her the powerful religious faith and values of traditional African American culture, those which informed Angelou’s later life and career.
At the age of seven, Angelou was raped by her mother’s boyfriend while visiting in Chicago. She was too afraid and ashamed to tell any of the adults in her life, so she confided in her brother. Soon after, Angelou was disturbed to hear that an uncle had killed her attacker. She felt that her words were responsible for his death, and as a result decided to stop speaking.
After remaining mute for five years, an educated African American woman named Mrs. Flowers encouraged Angelou to break her silence. Mrs. Flowers emphasized the importance of spoken language and education, and instilled in Angelou a love of poetry. Since then, Angelou has never ceased to let her voice be heard.
In her poems, Angelou speaks out against the injustices in the world. She tells of the hardships of African Americans, both past and present, and paints a picture of their “history slain.” She tells of the struggles of women at the hands of men- many of which mirror her own experiences.
But on top of the “screams loud and vain” that echo throughout her poems, readers hear the “tempo so compelling” of feet that “keep on marching forward.” For Angelou tells of the power of faith, and the strength of hope, that enable human beings to overcome life’s challenges. She emphasizes that, although we “keep on dying” a little each day, life is worth living and dreams are worth fighting for.
In her poems, Angelou presents proud African American men and women. They embrace their black beauty and live their lives “with flash and style.” They do not cower under society’s scorn, but instead “turn away from worry/with a sassy glance.” Angelou calls on her readers to find the beauty within themselves and stay true to who they are. Only then can they have the confidence and determination to go out and “dare to claim the sky.”
Although Maya Angelou focuses mainly on the experiences of African Americans and women, she is an inspiration to anyone who has faced discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Her message is simple- that everyone deserves to be treated equally. Angelou’s poems are full of power and emotion, and give hope to others that they may rise above adversity. Maya Angelou is a very passionate and accomplished woman, and “When you see [her] passing/It ought to make you proud.”
Now, please join me in welcoming poet Maya Angelou.
Word Count: 532
Angelou was born in 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. At the age of three, her parents divorced and she was sent to live with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. There, Angelou was exposed to the brutality of racial discrimination that was rooted deep in the American South. But at the same time, her grandmother and extended family instilled in her the powerful religious faith and values of traditional African American culture, those which informed Angelou’s later life and career.
At the age of seven, Angelou was raped by her mother’s boyfriend while visiting in Chicago. She was too afraid and ashamed to tell any of the adults in her life, so she confided in her brother. Soon after, Angelou was disturbed to hear that an uncle had killed her attacker. She felt that her words were responsible for his death, and as a result decided to stop speaking.
After remaining mute for five years, an educated African American woman named Mrs. Flowers encouraged Angelou to break her silence. Mrs. Flowers emphasized the importance of spoken language and education, and instilled in Angelou a love of poetry. Since then, Angelou has never ceased to let her voice be heard.
In her poems, Angelou speaks out against the injustices in the world. She tells of the hardships of African Americans, both past and present, and paints a picture of their “history slain.” She tells of the struggles of women at the hands of men- many of which mirror her own experiences.
But on top of the “screams loud and vain” that echo throughout her poems, readers hear the “tempo so compelling” of feet that “keep on marching forward.” For Angelou tells of the power of faith, and the strength of hope, that enable human beings to overcome life’s challenges. She emphasizes that, although we “keep on dying” a little each day, life is worth living and dreams are worth fighting for.
In her poems, Angelou presents proud African American men and women. They embrace their black beauty and live their lives “with flash and style.” They do not cower under society’s scorn, but instead “turn away from worry/with a sassy glance.” Angelou calls on her readers to find the beauty within themselves and stay true to who they are. Only then can they have the confidence and determination to go out and “dare to claim the sky.”
Although Maya Angelou focuses mainly on the experiences of African Americans and women, she is an inspiration to anyone who has faced discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Her message is simple- that everyone deserves to be treated equally. Angelou’s poems are full of power and emotion, and give hope to others that they may rise above adversity. Maya Angelou is a very passionate and accomplished woman, and “When you see [her] passing/It ought to make you proud.”
Now, please join me in welcoming poet Maya Angelou.
Word Count: 532