What did Maya Angelou Do for Society?
Maya Angelou was a passionate civil rights activist and celebrated writer whose works had a profound positive impact on countless individuals and communities throughout her lifetime. As an inspiring speaker, Doctor Angelou was one of the few people to ever address both Houses of the United States Congress, the first of which invited specifically by President Bill Clinton. She also served three years as Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University, teaching and inspiring future generations. Through her work as a bestselling author, Maya Angelou also managed to touch the hearts of people around the world with her memoirs and powerful collections of poems.
Throughout her life, Angelou held a great deal of importance for education. She once noted, “I think everybody in this world, no matter his race, his color, his creed, his nationality, his ethnic backdrop, has a strength and a beauty so that if we could align ourselves with it and accept those qualities, there’s no wrong side. That becomes a major lesson of freedom for citizens and for countries.” As a testament to this belief, Doctor Angelou founded the Maya Angelou Schools, a group of charter schools that carry her name in an effort to help provide a safe haven for children and provide them with the opportunity to discover their strengths and beauty through education.
Maya Angelou also used her creative mediums as a tool in promoting understanding, acceptance and strength in the face of adversity. Through her works, Angelou perfected the use of tone, craft and pacing to create a more personal reader experience that remained with her audience after they had finished each piece. She also spoke regularly on the subject of freedom, tolerance and understanding in communities, using her lectures as a foundation for connecting with different social groups.
Throughout her decorated career, Doctor Angelou was bestowed numerous awards, degrees and distinctions from universities, cultural educational and artistic groups. Her works have been translated into over twenty different languages and taken on the role of shaping and influencing cultural trends. Maya Angelou consistently pushed for the acceptance of all people, for basic human rights and for acknowledgement that the differences between individuals can be a source of strength rather than a hindrance.
Her advocacy for change and progress in society has inspired people from around the world to take up a similar cause and challenge the discriminatory ideologies of prior generations. In the process, Doctor Angelou helped to create space for the differences in race, gender, sexuality and other social markers that were previously targeted and excluded. Her activism laid the groundwork for countless individuals to pursue their dreams and fight for a greater sense of inclusion and respect in society.
Angelou’s Characteristics
Maya Angelou was a woman of incredible strength, courage and tenacity. No matter the obstacles, she never lost sight of her goals and followed her dreams relentlessly despite resistance. Doctor Angelou’s ability to confidently express her thoughts and feelings no matter the audience was one of her most admired traits and ultimately became a major contributory factor in her success.
Maya Angelou was also deeply compassionate and understanding, a trait that is heavily evident in her works. Angelou earned the respect of readers by humanizing the fight for justice and normalizing the experience of inequality though her vivid stories and intimate reflections. Her works generated a greater sense of empathy and understanding into the experiences of certain social groups and the struggles they faced due to their marginalizing identities. In her works, Doctor Angelou chose her words deliberately and with intention to evoke a certain response and sensitivity in her audience, an admirable feat in the world of literature.
Angelou also placed a great emphasis on the power of words as a tool for growth and healing. In her book, ‘And Still I Rise’, she dedicated a part of a poem to the ‘elephant of silence’, a nod to the notion that words have the power to liberate us and provide us with strength. Maya Angelou consistently used her words to uplift, heal and spread love, a noble act that continues to live on through the legacy she has left behind.
Angelou’s Impact on Society
The impact of Maya Angelou’s works has been felt around the world, with her words being a beacon of hope and comfort for many. Her works serve as a reminder that our individual stories hold a unique power and that we should never devalue them. A true symbol of strength and courage, Angelou’s words continue to remind us that our struggles are real and that reaching a place of acceptance begins by accepting ourselves. During her lifetime, Maya Angelou fundamentally changed the conversations around race and gender by humanizing the experiences of social injustices through her works.
Angelou has also proven to be an enduring literary figure that continues to inspire. Her works are reflective of the current struggles of many and she serves as a reminder that if we commit to tolerance and understanding, true freedom can be achieved. Doctor Angelou’s impact on society extends beyond her words and she has contributed immensely towards creating a momentum for change. People are now able to discuss what was once deemed as an uncomfortable topic and even develop action plans for change to ensure that our differences are accepted, respected and celebrated.
Maya Angelou was a beacon of light for many people around the world, a powerful voice that spoke boldly and courageously about the struggles of many. Her stories serve as a reminder that no matter how dire our circumstances, we should never give up pursuing our goals and spreading love. During her life, she managed to make a lasting impact that continues to reverberate today, however, it is no surprise that we still feel her influence as Doctor Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Angelou’s Involvement in Art and Culture
Although Maya Angelou is best known for her writing, she was also a dedicated poet who was heavily involved in the global theater and performing arts scene. Angelou’s work as a film scriptwriter, directing debut, and involvement in other various theater productions earned her a great deal of respect and admiration from the entertainment industry. She was even inducted into the Legacy Walk, which is comprised of some of the most influential people in American history.
Additionally, Doctor Angelou was also very vocal about issues related to equality and justice, particularly in the often-uleased fight for civil rights for African-Americans. Angelou became a fierce advocate for these rights using her words as a loudspeaker to spread awareness on the atrocities being inflicted against African-Americans. Her works served an important function of inspiring people to take action and challenge the oppressive policies of the past.
Maya Angelou also held a great deal of respect for music, going as far as making a cappella records and eventually earning several Grammy Award nominations before her death in 2014. Doctor Angelou was aware of the power of music and understood its power to reach the masses and inspire change. In fact, one of the most notable moments of her life was in 1994 when President Bill Clinton called on Angelou to write a poem in celebration of his inauguration, an honour that was both a testament to her talent and her commitment to justice and equality.
Maya Angelou was devoted to challenging the status quo and molding a more just and equal world for all. Through her literary works, her activism and her involvement in artistic and cultural pursuits, she has left an indelible mark on society and served as an inspiring role model for many.Her memory continues to live on, a reminder that with the right attitude and determination, we can have a lasting and powerful positive impact on the world.
Angelou’s Influence on Social Movements
Although Maya Angelou is most renowned as an author, her legacy extends far beyond her works as a writer. An iconic figure in the fight for civil rights, Doctor Angelou was a major supporter and endorser of the Black is Beautiful movement that began in the 1960s. Angelou was a firm believer of recognizing the beauty and strength of African-Americans and she served as a powerful voice for many fighting for better representation in the entertainment industry.
Moreover, Angelou aided in leading the way in establishing International Women’s Day. During her speech at the United Nations Conference in 1976, Maya Angelou raised the standard for understanding and equality between the sexes, declaring resolution 3326-XXIX International Women’s Day, which to this day is the official U.N. day celebrating women.
Maya Angelou was also a major activist in the fight against homophobia, her stance was well known throughout her circles and eventually, her words were heard by many during her public lectures. Angelou was a firm believer that all forms of love were valid and she refused to tolerate any acts of hatred. In her own words, Angelou noted, “We must teach our youth, our young men and women, young girls and boys, the rituals and customs of what loving looks like, what it sounds like and what it smells like.”
The impact of Doctor Angelou’s activism has been felt around the world, with her works continuing to serve as a beacon of hope for many fighting for social change. In her works, Angelou managed to humanize often-overlooked narratives, pushing for the understanding and acceptance of our differences, regardless of gender, sexuality, race or creed. She was and still is an icon of strength and courage and will forever remain one of the greatest and most influential writers of her time.
