Maya Angelou’s stance on the abortion debate remains largely divisive, with the late poet and author publicly remaining silent for the majority of her life in regards to expressing her opinion. However, throughout her life, Angelou has continually expressed a pro-life mindset. Throughout her extensive literary works and her direct quotes, it is clear that Angelou believes in the value of life, regardless of its form or stage.
Throughout many of her writings, Angelou repeatedly speaks in support of life. It is in this sentiment that Angelou speaks in “And Still I Rise” when she writes: “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave…”. Here, Angelou speaks with deep admiration of her ancestors, those who endured untold hardships and remained strong. This admiration indicates her pro-life stance, that regardless of one’s situation or circumstances, life is precious, and should be respected and valued.
In addition to this, Angelou also consistently speaks of life being sacred and precious in her many quotes. In her poem “Our Grandmothers”, Angelou directly states: “We are the hope and the dream of the slave. Our dead are alive in us…”. Here, Angelou is reiterating the value of life, and the respect that likely needs to be given to life regardless of one’s situation. This is especially relevant when considering the slave experience; Angelou recognizes the strength and courage of those who lived through it, and expresses reverence and admiration for the lives that these people led.
Similarly, Angelou expresses this view point in her magnum opus “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. In her novel we find the reflection of her pro-life attitude as Maya recounts her own abortion.Although Maya is pregnant as a teenager, she decides to keep the child without hesitation, reflecting her unimpeachable belief that life should be respected despite any kind of hardship or difficulties.
Finally, Angelou ends her life expressing unreserved support for the unborn in her answer to the question of abortion on the episode of Oprah’s Master Class. Here, Angelou states: “I am for life, ’cause I think that, in essence we are exist for that. … I think that sometimes what happens in the womb is, we come in from the universe and we enter this, you know, beautiful body. So I’m not for abortion. I think abortion should be legal, but it should be, it should be — used only if it’s necessary.” Here, Angelou speaks directly to her pro-life views, stating that while she believes it should be legal, she emphasizes that it should only be used “if necessary”.
Value of Human Life
Maya Angelou’s pro-life view is reflective of a broader view that life, in all its forms, is inherently valuable. Angelou’s writings and quotes reveal the idea that the value of life transcends all other attempts at establishing a hierarchy of life. That is, one’s form, gender, and even stage of life do not diminish its worth, but instead each should be respected as valuable.
This viewpoint ties directly into Angelou’s Christian faith, a faith she expressed openly throughout her life. It is within Christianity that Angelou found solace, comfort, and the ability to openly express her belief in the sanctity of life. The importance of this idea of the sanctity of life is quite visible in the Bible, where passages such as the Genesis verse “God created man in His own image” illustrate the value of human life.
This view is further echoed by passages such as Psalm 139, where it is written: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I thank You for the wonder of my being…”. This further emphasizes Angelou’s pro-life view; that life, in all its forms and from its conception, should be respected and cherished.
In countless of her works, Maya Angelou speaks of embracing life and of its tremendous worth. Whether that life is in its earliest stages or in its last, Angelou always speaks with admiration and respect for the preciousness of life. This is seen in her life and her works, and it is what makes her voice so poignant and much needed in today’s society.
Importance of Maternal Care
The importance of maternal care is another key aspect of Angelou’s pro-life stance. As a mother herself, Angelou was keenly aware of the importance of maternal nurture, and its direct effect on the unborn or even young child. In addition to this, Angelou was able to draw upon her own experiences as a youth pregnant with her own child; her knowledge of the importance of maternal care led her to want to keep her own child rather than abort it.
Angelou also speaks on the importance of maternal care in her works. In her novel “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, the protagonist Maya receives a well-rounded maternal love from her grandmother. Although her mother is largely absent from Maya’s life, her grandmother more than compensates for it; her presence has a profound impact on her young granddaughter. Grandmother Bailey’s unconditional love for Maya serves as a beacon for the young girl, something she will draw upon later in her life.
In her poem “Our Grandmothers”, Angelou speaks of a mother’s love as being a permanent bond between both mother and child. It is through this bond that Angelou hopes to capture the true essence of life, and the importance of love in it. Her words deeply reflect her pro-life views, wherein she believes that regardless of one’s circumstances, that life should be cherished and nurtured.
It is this belief, firmly rooted in the maternal bond, that Angelou espouses throughout her life and works. The importance of maternal care and the preservation of life, even in its earliest stages, are ideas that Maya Angelou addresses throughout her works. These topics, as well as many others, highlight the importance of Angelou’s pro-life stance, a belief that all life is worthy of being given an opportunity to flourish.
Connection with Female Empowerment
Finally, Angelou’s stance on the abortion debate is linked to the larger conversation of female gender empowerment and the role of the female in society. In this regard, Angelou’s position on life reflects her own personal need for her to be respected, both as a woman and as a human being.
Throughout her works and her life, Maya Angelou speaks of her own struggle for respect and her ability to move on despite the hardships she has faced as a woman. Angelou felt a special responsibility to empower other women and to help them find their own voices; because of this, her pro-life stance is even more meaningful when considered in that context.
It is this sense of equality and the understanding of the value of life that Angelou strongly believed in. By supporting pro-life and the idea that the unborn deserve a chance to live and grow, Angelou was able to speak in favor of those whose voices are marginalized in the media and in society.
In her works, Angelou speaks directly about her belief in the power of the female voice. In her novel “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” Maya’s character speaks of her need to find her voice and her understanding that her voice is integral to her personal development and sense of identity. Throughout her life, Maya’s writings and her own words embody her belief in the value of life and the importance of giving females a chance to make their voices heard.
A Change in Attitude
In today’s society, the debate over abortion remains divisive, with the loudest voices receiving the most attention. However, Maya Angelou’s pro-life stance is an example of a positive and constructive attitude that has the power to bring about change. By speaking about the value of life and stressing the importance of the female voice, Angelou provided a beacon of hope for those who have felt ignored or marginalized in our society.
In her works and in her own words, Angelou speaks of her own personal experiences, of her own struggles and her ability to overcome them. In doing so, Angelou is able to relate to other women and help them find their own voices. Angelou’s viewpoint of respecting life, from its earliest stages, is one that mirrors her own personal struggle for respect and her belief that all life is valuable and should be given an opportunity to grow and flourish.
Maya Angelou’s pro-life stance is reflective of a greater understanding of the importance of respecting life and giving voice to those whose stories go unheard. By speaking in favor of the value of life, Angelou is able to emphasize the importance of the female voice and to create a positive and constructive attitude that has the power to bring about a change in the abortion debate.
Respect and Equality
Throughout her works and quotes, Maya Angelou speaks of the need for respect and equality for all. This sentiment intersects with her pro-life views; Angelou believes that regardless of one’s gender or circumstances, a life should be respected and given an opportunity to flourish. This sentiment is echoed in Angelou’s poem “Our Grandmothers”, where she speaks of respect for life in all its forms.
Similarly, Angelou speaks to this idea in her poem “Still I Rise”, where she states: “You may shoot me with your words… you may try to kill me with your hatefulness…” Here, Angelou speaks of her resilience, a resilience that is echoed in her pro-life views. Angelou believes that life is valuable, and should be given a chance to grow and flourish.
By speaking for the oppressed and for those whose voices are rarely heard, Angelou demonstrates her commitment to respect and equality for all life. In a society where abortion is a contentious issue, Angelou’s pro-life stance allows her to speak out for those whose stories are often ignored, and to encourage those who feel silenced to have the courage to make their voices heard.
Conclusion
Maya Angelou’s pro-life stance is reflective of her belief in the sanctity of life. Throughout her works and her quotes, Angelou speaks in favor of respecting life, regardless of its form or stage. This view point is connected to the larger conversation of female gender empowerment, a role that Angelou sought to fill throughout her lifetime. By speaking out in favor of life, Angelou was able to emphasize the importance of the female voice and to bring attention to topics that may otherwise go unheard or overlooked.
