Maya Angelou: Nonconformist

The poems “On the Pulse of Morning” and “One Today” both illustrate the effects of cultural diversity among Americans in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Maya Angelou beautifully describes the importance of coming together despite our differences when she says, “So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew The African, the Native American, the Sioux, The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheik, The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher, The privileged, the homeless, the Teacher. They hear. They all hear The speaking of the Tree.” This describes how regardless of your race, religion, or sexuality, you have the right to freedom, peace, and security. Maya Angelou perfectly illustrates that we must come together,

The human body has 640 muscles and the strength of these muscles vary from person to person. The strongest muscle found in each body, whether scrawny or burly, is the tongue. The tongue can unite, uplift, restore, and encourage. The power of the tongue can also cause bitterness, strife, and envy. This small muscle, located in the mouth, impacts large spheres in the world, such as jobs, politics, and relationships. In Maya Angelou’s “Graduation Day”, she narrates her graduation and the events that surround the day. Angelou portrays the power of words throughout her narrative and how they impact her thoughts. Because words, whether careless or thoughtful, persuade, they can enrich or belittle the human spirit.

In Maya Angelou’s chapter Mrs. Flowers, Marguerite Johnson, finds how to become successful in a segregated America. What Mrs. Flowers does is teaches Marguerite how to avoid racist people, that usually meant staying home. Mrs Flowers made her memorize many works of literature such as poems. “Take this book of poems and memorize one for me. Next time you pay me a visit I want you to recite it.” This story connects directly back to Maya Angelou’s life. She was always memorizing writing as a child. It was because of that she thrived in so many different occupations and won two grammys. Maya Angelou is showing that even when you are put in the worst of circumstances it is possible to succeed.

In Maya’s life she wrote seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and many books of poetry. The storyteller style writing paired with description and emotion, created an something right here about her books and shit. She earned the Chubb Fellowship Award, Pulitzer Prize Nomination, Ladies ' Home Journal Award, Golden Eagle Award, Afro-American in the Arts, Fulbright Program 40th Anniversary Distinguished Lecturer award, Langston Hughes Medal, Grammy for "Best Spoken Word Album", Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Association National Award, Mother Teresa Award, and was the First recipient of Hope for Peace and Justice Voice of Peace

When thinking of a historical figure, many imagine a president, king, or general that lead a country to greatness, but never realized some could be the ones who influence the minds of society. Although not thought of as anything, writers and poets hold the key to shaping the society’s mindset without even knowing it. Being a civil rights activist, social activist, and role model for women makes Maya Angelou a historical figure who has made a huge impact in American society and in American history.

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).

Actress. Artist. Civil rights activist. Feminist. Poet. Maya Angelou was one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. She discussed topics that most people never would have, with open arms. She truly was a woman of many talents and her work will last throughout the ages. Maya Angelou. A true renaissance woman who will be remembered… if we make her works part of the American school curriculum.

Maya Angelou's book describes in great detail the events of her forming years and her emotions throughout. It begins in the perspective of her eight year old self experiencing her first loss. Angelou’s parents divorce and her move to stamps. This novel continues on to tell of Angelou's biggest troma. The book finishes after she graduates high school and gives birth to her first son. Essentially Maya Angelou describes the most relevant decade of her life. Which, overall was full of ups and downs but most importantly success.

Maya Angelou, as a young, black woman with no excess of money, was part of perhaps the most challenged group of people and she was able to blossom and grow even within those conditions. Despite, or perhaps as a result of, her struggles, she was able to see the good in her life and in people and hold her own against the constant discrimination that could have crippled someone else and left them bitter. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou shares the various adversities she faced throughout her life and how she overcame each and every one. Through positive role models like her momma, the glamorous Mrs. Bertha Flowers who gave her “lessons in living” (Angelou 98), her beloved brother, and various others, as well as books which were her constant companion throughout life, she too was able to see past her own conditions and become a better person. Her experiences only served to thicken her skin and instill in her a sense of empathy, determination and an understanding of the world around her. After being told she could not have a certain job as a result of her race, she traveled , “from disappointment….to haughty indignation, and finally to that state of stubbornness where the mind is locked like the jaws of an enraged bulldog” (Angelou 265). She eventually got the job.

Both African American men and women have had the strength to put up with racial comments and slurs they have been told all their lives. In the speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass and the poem, “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou, are perfect examples to show how white Americans used to treat the African American people. White Americans back then, and even in modern day, would talk down about them, hoping to break down their self confidence even more than it already has been. This may be true to others, but to Douglass and Angelou, they do not let the heartless words of others define who they are as an individual.

“Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough”

Maya Angelou wrote I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings to present how negroes were treated and the hardships they were put through during the time this book was written. Angelou uses rhetorical devices throughout the book to display her thoughts and give us a better understanding of what she was going through. One of the rhetorical devices that she uses is imagery. She uses detailed descriptions of what she was put through as an African American female to give us a more intimate view of how she was oppressed. Another one of Angelou’s rhetorical strategies is symbolism. The book ties together with symbolism. The title itself is a symbol. One of her most used devices is figurative language. She uses figurative language to tie together and emphasize

She brought American regions to life through her loving portrayals of individuals. She directed her passion for country into her writing. She also was a student at the University of Nebraska in the 1890’s. She often went by William and wore male clothing. Most of her friends were females of which she lived with for a few years.