Maya Angelou was an iconic American poet and author. She was a powerful voice in the Civil Rights and Women’s movements. Her words touched generations and inspired many, while also making a difference in our society. Despite her success and acclaim, no one should be complacent with our achievements. There are still so many ways to do better, and it is our duty to take up the mantle of Maya Angelou and continue to build a fairer society.
In order to ‘do better Maya Angelou’, we must start by recognizing her legacy. While her works often focus on the pain of oppression, we should be sure to recognize her courage, resilience, and her commitment to justice. We must work to preserve her works and share her words with future generations, so that her impact isn’t lost to the ages.
Another way to do better Maya Angelou is to support the causes and people she championed during her lifetime. We should be actively engaged in the civil rights and women’s movements, and fight for equality and justice for all. We must seek to empower those around us, as she did, and rally against any injustices we see.
Perhaps most importantly, we must do better by standing up and speaking out against racism, sexism, homophobia, and any form of bigotry that continues to prejudice and divide us. As Maya Angelou said, “in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” We must continue to live by these words, in her memory, to create a better future for all.
Above all, by ‘doing better Maya Angelou’, we must strive to embody her spirit in day-to-day life. We should work together, to help those in need, to be a beacon of hope for each other. We must also never be afraid to take a stand, even if it means we will be judged and misunderstood. Only when we have left our comfort zones, can we truly learn, grow and reach a better, brighter tomorrow.
Continuing the Legacy
In carrying Maya Angelou’s legacy forward, we should work together to uplift those who are typically marginalized in our society. We must support struggling communities, raise awareness about injustice, donate to charities, and reach out to those who need our assistance. By standing together we can ensure that Maya’s work to bring us together is honored.
It is also our duty to protest the systems that keep people down. Instead of letting injustices roll by, we must continue the fight against discrimination in all its forms. We must stand up and demand that bigotry is no longer tolerated. We should work together to bring equality to those who have been denied it, so that all of us can live our lives in peace and safety.
In order to ‘do better Maya Angelou’, we must candidly address our current societal ills and strive to correct them. We must be willing to have uncomfortable conversations, push for change in our government and organisations, and work to create a better future for everyone. Only by being sincere and doing our best to create an equitable society, can we honour Maya Angelou’s legacy.
Celebrating Maya Angelou
In order to do justice to Maya Angelou’s legacy, we must celebrate what she stands for. We should host events to educate others on her works and life, as well as embracing her culture and beliefs. We can also write or create artwork in her memory, and share our gratitude for her with the world.
It is also vital that we recognize her achievements and memorialize them. Not enough credit is given to African Americans and their work, even in this day and age. We must establish scholarship funds, monuments, and forums to commemorate Maya Angelou and her struggles, ensuring that her memory lives on.
To ‘do better Maya Angelou’, we must not forget the past but must strive to build a better future. We must remember the bleak moments in our history and the brave heroes who advocated for change. We must also appreciate their courage and our progress, honoring their legacy through our commitment to hope and justice.
Keeping Her Spirit Alive
In honoring Maya Angelou, we can locate her spirit in our daily lives. We must be sure to practice what she preached – equality, resilience, justice, and courage. We can strive to live everyday with her values, in our minds and in our hearts, and make a difference.
We must guard against the urge to judge and the desire to belittle. We must be mindful of what we say and do, ensuring that our words and actions promote justice, equality and kindness. By being kinder to each other, and less judgmental, we can keep Maya Angelou’s spirit alive in our minds and show her legacy in our actions.
In addition, we must continue to listen to and learn from each other, regardless of age, race, gender and belief. Instead of putting everyone into neat little boxes, we can aim to be open-minded and treat each other with fairness. We must remember that we are all unique and irreplaceable, and strive to work together and appreciate each other’s gifts, to build a better society.
Becoming Better People
By ‘doing better Maya Angelou’ we must strive to become better people. We must be prepared to stand out, take risks, and challenge ourselves to do more. We must also strive to stay informed, as this is integral to building a better world. To ensure that Maya Angelou’s work lives on, we must stay informed about our rights, the injustices in our society, and the movements of those advocating for change.
Of course, ‘doing better Maya Angelou’ also entails taking time for ourselves. We must prioritise our mental and physical wellbeing, spending time outdoors, reading, and making ourselves a priority. We must reacquaint ourselves with joy and pleasure, in order to stay focused and driven, so that we have the energy and inspiration to work towards a more equitable society.
To truly become better people, we must also stop comparing ourselves to others. We are unique and special in our own right, and our paths and trajectories will differ. We must focus on our personal growth and our unique gifts – the only person we should strive to be better than, is our own selves.
