Maya Angelou One Today Analysis

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,

Richard Blanco asks the citizens of America to accept differences in culture without prejudice when he states, “Hear: the doors we open for each other all day, saying: hello, shalom, buon giorno, howdy, namaste, or buenos días in the language my mother taught me–in every language spoken into one wind carrying our lives without prejudice, as these words break from my lips.” Blanco wants Americans to embrace our differences and the cultural diversity of America. Furthermore, Blanco talks about us all being under “one sky.” He means that regardless of our cultural and racial differences, we are all under the same sky, we are all in this together. Blanco further illustrates his point in saying, “all of us– facing the stars hope–a new constellation waiting for us to map it, waiting for us to name it–together.” This demonstrates the fact that Americans are facing a new beginning, a new constellation to map, and they must do it together, as one nation. Despite cultural differences and disputes, America must come together as brother’s and sister’s to create a new future for their