Maya Angelou, African American Writer and Poet died on Wednesday 28th May, 2014 aged 86.
I attribute my lifelong love of the written word and my first attempts at writing to the
both the influence of my father and Maya Angelou. On reading her first memoir 'I Know
Why The Caged Bird Sings' I still recall my total fascination at her mastery of words,
words so powerful they held the ability to transport me into a different world, her world.
I couldn't put the book down, just had to finish it in one day. Today a good book still
holds me spellbound and Maya Angelou standards of excellence remain my benchmark. Angelou, was born Marguerite Annie Johnson, in St Louis, Missouri on April 4th 1928. Raised by her
grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas a childhood rape and the aftermath resulted in her becoming mute for five
years. Those silent years turned the young Maya to reading every book she could lay her hands on. Her
early career included amongst other things working as a singer and dancer, actress and waitress. By the
end of her life she had added to that list poet, educator, playwright, activist, historian, producer,
actor and director, a journey she generously shared with us in her series of autobiographies that sold
millions around the world alongside her 36 other books including poetry and children's books. She spent
time travelling in Europe and Africa in the 1960's where she became a journalist and academic. That was the strength of Angelou, her ability to be human, simply. Embracing her human strengths but also her weaknesses, sharing
her wrongs and celebrating her rights, shining the light on those dark times whilst reminding us not ever to let those challenges close
our minds and spirit to the potential joy of the human experience. She taught us that we have the ability to change our reality and encouraged
us to hold on to the courage to keep trying.
In her poem Still I Rise she writes: A verse from her poem Phenomenal Woman reads: Maya Angelou, a truly Phenomenal Woman will continue to Rise in the minds of those she inspired on her journey. We Thank You. |
Your commentsIntelligent black woman. Sad to lose you. She illustrated given opportunity black woman can lead people. I hope more black women can follow her example and courage for better future for black people. A strong black woman indeed my our youth here in Africa follow her route n change ur continent If African Women were not strong, we would still be slaves or dead. To date in England we are 10% of the population. The prison records for African men speaks volumes. slavery still exist, the head of the African family has been used for other purposes, sold down the road, into mental health, prison. As it was in the beginning so shall it be in the end. ? how was it in the beginning? If given an opportunity (and luck)we African women can do better with our lives,Maya Angelou also proves what I've always believed that an education can change women's plight around the world.Thanks Maya for having shared my life with you even though I haven't met you i hope melanic tees pays tribute by designing a t shirt! thank you everything you wrote was really nice!! my favorite poet! |