Maya Angelou, one of the most inspirational authors and poets of the 20th century, experienced her fair share of fear in her life. Though she was a remarkably courageous individual who fought for justice and equality alongside many famous figures, her life was not without its anxieties and worries. Let’s dive deeper and explore what exactly Maya Angelou feared.
Fear of Being Unheard
Maya Angelou was a firm believer in the power of the spoken word and of using one’s voice to make the world a better place. However, at the same time, she was afraid of what would happen if her words weren’t heard or valued. Angelou was one of the most prominent civil rights activists of the twentieth century and a key leader in the black liberation movement. Despite having a voice that could rally a crowd and effectively spread her message of unity and equality, Angelou still feared that her words would go unheard and her message would be lost.
Fear of Rejection
Rejection is a powerful emotion and one that Maya Angelou was all too familiar with. Throughout her life, Angelou experienced both personal and professional rejection due to being a black woman in a predominantly white-dominated society. This led to her fearing that no matter how much effort she put into her craft, her work would continually be overlooked and her voice would go unheard. Angelou even wrote about feeling ostracized and ignored, like she wasn’t worthy of the success or recognition she felt she deserved.
Fear of the Unknown
Every single thing Angelou pursued in her life was uncharted territory. Whether it was her career, her political goals, or the activism she was so passionate about, Angelou was confronting the unknown. As a black woman in the 1950s and ’60s, Angelou was also constantly up against racism and facing danger every time she put herself out there. Although Angelou was brave enough to face her fears, she still worried about what the outcome of her actions would be and whether or not it would get her into trouble.
Fear of Failure
Maya Angelou experienced a lot of success during her lifetime, but this was not enough to quell her fear of failure. While Angelou was able to write numerous books, win various awards, and become an icon of black culture in the US, she was still afraid that no matter how hard she worked, she could never be successful. This fear drove Angelou to continue pushing herself, even in situations when it seemed like the odds were stacked against her.
Fear of Public Speaking
Though Angelou was known for her powerful rhetoric and eloquent speeches, she was still afraid of standing in front of a crowd to deliver her message. Angelou often struggled with stage fright and could feel her heart racing before she even stepped onto the stage. Despite her fears, Angelou bravely faced her crowd and was able to deliver her message with poise and eloquence.
Fear of the Future
Angelou was an optimist and optimists are often afraid of the unknown and uncertain future. Angelou had plenty of hopes and dreams for her life and the future of her country, but she was still fearful of what the future may bring. Angelou wanted to make sure that everyone of every color, gender, and creed was treated fairly and had the same rights, but she knew that the world was not perfect and had to continue fighting for what she believed in.
Fear of the Past
Though Angelou felt that embracing the past was important, she also felt a fear of the past. She was aware of the horrors and discrimination that people of color had to endure, and this memory caused her a great deal of pain. Angelou was an unflinching truth-teller, and her words and her courage were a reminder of the discrimination and injustice that people of color were still facing today.
Fear of Inequality
Maya Angelou was passionate about promoting equality and justice and was a fierce advocate of civil rights. She was a firm believer that everyone, regardless of their background, should be treated with respect and dignity. Angelou was afraid that no matter how hard she fought, the fight for true equality and justice had yet to be won and sadly, many of the inequalities and injustices she fought against are still relevant today.
Fear of Being Judged
Maya Angelou was also afraid of being judged, especially due to the strong opinions she had formed about certain matters. As an outspoken individual, her words and her actions were often scrutinized and could bring forth negative reactions. This caused Angelou to be wary of the people she shared her opinions with, as she feared being judged for her beliefs.
Fear of the Loss of Freedom
Angelou was passionate about advocating for the right to be free and rightfully feared the loss of freedom and liberty. As a black woman, Angelou was all too familiar with the horrors of racism, discrimination, and oppression and feared that if these injustices continued, the right to freedom would no longer be available. This fear drove Angelou to be a leader in the fight for justice and equal rights.
Fear of Loneliness
Though Maya Angelou was a strong-willed individual and an influential leader, she still feared being alone. Many activists can be seen as outcasts in their community, as they face a great deal of criticism for their beliefs and their actions. This put Angelou in a difficult situation, as she wanted to be a voice for the voiceless but also feared the criticism that could come with it.
