Maya Angelou: Civil Rights Activist

Timeline of Mays”s life: “April 4, 1928- Maya Angelou is born in St. Louis, Missouri. 1942- Angelou dropped out of school to become San Francisco’s first African-American female car conductor. 1954 through 1955- Angelou toured Europe with a production of the opera "Porgy and Bess." 1957- Recorded her first album, "Calypso Lady." 1958- Angelou moved to New York, where she joined the Harlem Writers Guild. She acted in Jean Genet’s Off-Broadway production, "The Blacks," and performed "Cabaret for Freedom." 1960- Angelo moved to Cairo, Egypt where she served as editor

Maya found joy in singing, dancing, and poetry, after moving to San Francisco in 1940. However, this joy was put on hold after having a son at age 16, and moving to San Diego. Being young and reckless waitress, Maya got tangled in drugs, prostitution, and strip dancing. In 1954, Maya had a stroke of luck after being discovered by a theater group at the strip club. Touring 22 countries

Born poor and black, she was a childhood victim of rape, shamed into silence. She was a young single mother who had to work at strip clubs for a living. Growing up in the 1930s as an African American was not a walk in the park. Angelou had to

On April 4th of 1928 Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri. She was given the name “Maya” by her brother, Bailey. Both Maya and Bailey were sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas after her parents divorced.

In 1773, there were slaves all over colonial America working in plantations, and cleaning their masters houses. It wasn’t common for a slave to be writing poetry with their owners consent. Phyllis Wheatley’s success as the first African American published poet was what inspired generations to tell her story. It was her intellectual mind and point of view that made her different from others, both black and white. Phyllis’s story broke the barrier for all African American writers, and proved that no matter the gender or race, all human beings are capable of having an intelligent state of mind. Her arrival in America in 1761, at the age of eight is what started the story of a legend.

Maya Angelou philosophy and teachings are timeless. There is a lesson to be learned in her more than 30 published works and her lessons taught as a professor and lecturer. More important she lived what she preached. She had a strong belief in humanity as a whole, in the human spirit and in the African American community. She fought tirelessly to change extinguish racism, prejudice and discrimination during a time when she herself as a black woman experienced its effects. The hardships that she faced during her lifetime and eventually overcame were done with a positive grace which became an inspiration to people around the world. Through her written words and inspirational speeches she was able to lead people in a positive directions . She moved forward as a beacon that showed love and wisdom. Angelou wanted to teach her audience truth about the hardships in life but also show them that there was great value in seeing the joy that life can bring and that there is a need to appreciate those who surround

“Today, Michelle and I join millions around the world in remembering one of the brightest lights of our time – a brilliant writer, a fierce friend, and a truly phenomenal woman.” (Online - White House). This memorial statement, by Barack Obama in 2014, encompasses how many felt towards Maya Angelou, one of the most influential writers and voices of her generation. Over the course of her lifetime, Maya Angelou was awarded over 50 honorary degrees and received the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Angelou’s personal admiration and self-love that is reflected in her poetic works, specifically, “Phenomenal Woman,” is credited to the overcoming of her traumatic childhood and her work in activism.

Angelou’s contribution to the Civil Rights Movement and her achievements as an activist were remarkable. While these achievements seem to be enough to last a lifetime, the Civil Rights Movement was only the beginning for Angelou. Angelou worked as an outspoken Civil Rights activist during the movement. But even after the Civil Rights Movement had ended, she continued to be a voice of humanity, speaking out against anything that harmed the human spirit. Angelou moved on to influence American society as a whole, from the 1970’s to the day she died, May 28, 2014. She was a multi-talented person as Toni Morrison, a friend and contemporary of Angelou, expressed: “She had 19 talents and used 10. And she was a real original.” (qtd, in Sherwell, 2014).

“Behind every great man there’s a great women.” This quote by Meryll Frost was first used in 1946 during his acceptance speech for the most courageous athlete of 1945. He gave credit to his wife and noted that he would not have received the award without her help. To this quote could have also been used to describe Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams. She was a courageous woman who stood out to against in justice. Throughout her entire life she stood greatly with courage and was also known for her loyalty for her country and family.

The German philosopher Nietzsche once said, “That which does not kill us, make us stronger”, and in many instances this is exactly the case. In most every instance of tragedy or hardship, the people affected must either yield to or rise above their situation, and in rising above, develop or display extraordinary and exemplary traits uniquely fitted to dealing with that situation. As a result, without adversity, these talents would be left unused. There are instances in which people crack under the pressure or sink to the expectations of their situation, but, depending on the character of the person involved, they may take the situation and use it to better themselves. It is a unique opportunity to utilize or develop traits that often remain

Louis, Missouri named Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928. Being the second child and first daughter of Bailey Johnson, a doorman and Navy dietitian, and Vivian Baxter Johnson, a professional nurse and a card dealer. Getting her name from her brother, Bailey Jr. Further on with her parents divorce Maya and Bailey traveled from Long Beach, California to a Southern backwash of Stamps, Arkansas, specified as Maya’s birthplace. [Angelou Page 15]

Nikki Giovanni was a poet and writer born in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 7, 1943. She attended Fisk University and graduated with honors. After graduating she moved to Cincinnati and established the first Black Arts Festival. She first caught the public attention as part of the Black Arts Movement (B.A.M.) of the late 1960s. She published her first entry book called, Black Feeling, Black Talk in 1968. She published many great poems regarding the B.A.M and she won many awards for her work including Woman of the Year from Ladies Home Journal. She also appeared multiple times on television and attended speaking engagements. She then went on to become a professor at College Mount St. Joseph and Virginia Tech University.

Discrimination is everywhere we go. In every single town, city, and village people are being discriminated against because of their religon, race, sexualty, ecnomic status, and many more. But also, while there are people who discriminate, there are also people who stand up. There are people who speak out against the bullies of our society. One of those people is Langston Hughes. He was very outspoken about the idea of racial pride. Langston Hughes expresses and promotes racial pride, though his works of writing, such as his poem, “I, too”.

“Phenomenal Woman” is a poem about a woman who has men naturally attracted to her. She is not the one people always find “pretty” but she has confidence and has women jealous. Men are constantly around her and swarm her like honey bees (Angelou

Marguerite Annie Johnson Angelou. Also known as Maya Angelou, was born on April 4th, 1928. This American poet, actress, singer, screenwriter, dancer, and civils rights activist, made quite an impact on the world. She became friends with fellow writer, James Baldwin. Baldwin “urged Angelou to write about her life experiences, resulting in the enormously