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Rising Above Oppression In Ellen Mcgeagh's Still I Rise

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Rising Above Oppression Being different and having fear of rejection is something we all experience at some point. “Still I Rise,” a poem written by Maya Angelou in 1978, expounds the indomitable spirit of African Americans, who have risen from slavery and every kind of humiliation. In it, the writer uses the motif of the image pattern “I Rise” to illustrate the way people have overcome great obstacles and oppression with enduring pride and grace, retaliating against discrimination of races and gender, and offering hope to the readers suffering from the same ordeal. In “Still I Rise,” Angelou speaks not only for herself; in fact, the poem 's scope is not limited to one person but to all the downtrodden individuals. The poetry critic Ellen McGeagh states: “This extension of self occurs in Angelou’s autobiographies and protest poetry” (McGeagh 28). Although the “I” of Angelou’s refrain is obviously female and represents a woman outspoken about her personal and social struggle, it exemplifies the abiding defiance all people strive to possess when seeking to overcome any obstacle. While the protagonist in “Still I Rise” proudly feels a strong connection with her ethnicity, the Asian girl illustrated in …show more content…

In “Still I Rise,” negativity does not exist. The reader sees her optimism, reminding us that the challenge to hope in a hopeless time is a part of our history. Angelou 's abiding confidence in finding hope no matter what situation she is in has inspired humankind and keeps inspiriting modern culture as well, as the heartbreaking song “I Know Where I 've Been” from the renowned musical Hairspray proves: “There 's a dream in the future, a struggle that we have yet to win, and there 's pride in my heart 'cause I know where I 'm going, and I know where I 've been. [...] Use that pride in our hearts to lift us up until tomorrow, 'cause just to sit still would be a sin;” an attitude which exactly reflects the standpoint Maya Angelou and the black women of the time

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