Maya Angelou was an incredible figure of the 20th century, a prominent civil rights activist, poet, and author. She is often credited with being a strong female advocate, recognized for her fearless courage in the face of adversity to fight for social justice. But Angelou’s powerful message had humble beginnings, starting with her childhood. Angelou was born in St. Louis, MO, in 1928. Despite a tumultuous upbringing, Angelou handled her situation with maturity and strength that would form around the values that she later embraced.
Her parents divorced when she was three, and she was sent to live with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. Angelou experienced the difficulty of the segregated south first-hand, as she and her brother were the only black students enrolled in a local school. Despite her childhood, she still managed to see beauty in the world. This was likely a skill taught to her by her grandmother, and her grandmother’s strong words of wisdom have been widely quoted by fans of Angelou.
At the age of eight, Angelou was a victim of sexual assault by her mother’s fiancée. This traumatic experience caused her to fall silent and struggle with the fear and shame she carried. During her teenage years, she moved back to California to live with her mother. This caused her to begin to regain her voice. She embraced life and found joy in it, learning distincitve lessons, something Angelou would eventually share generations later with her book ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Although her childhood was tumultuous and she faced difficult times growing up, Angelou still persevered and managed to eventually make a name for herself in the literary world. She found the courage to continue speaking out, using her writing as a way to express the injustices she faced. Angelou later wrote, “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” A testament to a childhood that provided lessons that shaped the amazing woman.
Early Significance of Education
At a young age, Maya Angelou was already aware of the significance of obtain education; she enthusiastically enrolled in any educational opportunity that was given to her in the times of segregation. Angelou’s experience of being the only black student enrolled in her local school allowed her to experience the institutionalized racism that she would grow up to fiercely oppose. This form of racism impacted Angelou’s life more as she grew older, as limitations on where she could work and her inability to visit other states became apparent to her.
Angelou’s intelligence was apparent from a young age- it allowed her to explore the importance of education, prompting her to pursue avenues to obtain it. Accordingly, Angelou studied many cultures, languages, and music as part of her high school studies. She also studied foreign language and dance, where she became an accomplished tap dancer and worked at music clubs. In a few short years, she went on to become knowledgeable in subjects such as theology, biology, and French. And although Angelou wasn’t given proper credit for her studies, she was never deterred and continued to learn extensively by attending numerous speeches and classes.
Angelou’s Literary Career
It’s no secret that Angelou was absolutely talented when it came to writing. After moving back to California, she worked as a composer and a singer, eventually leading up to her writing career. She joined the Harlem Writers Guild, where she began to pursue her writing career. Her experiences in the south heavily influenced her writing; her deep involvement in the civil rights movement, where she acted as an advisor for the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., peppered her works with powerful messages. Though she never earned a degree, her writings created a platform for her to speak out against the injustices she had seen and experienced.
In 1974, Angelou published her first autobiography titled I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, in which she explored many topics such as race, identity and trauma from her childhood. The book, which became an instant classic, gained much praise from readers. Angelou won numerous awards and is regarded as an important figure in the literary world even today.
Struggles with the Justice System
Despite her achievements and immense contributions to society, Angelou’s struggles with the justice system still existed. This was mainly seen in the form of police brutality and the lack of justice African Americans received. As a civil rights activist, Angelou had to battle her way through the system as she continued to stand up for her rights. Despite this, she never gave up, and kept pushing despite the backlash she received. This can be seen in many of her works; she often speaks about standing up for one’s rights and fighting for justice. Although Angelou had a childhood filled with plenty of insecurity, her experiences allowed her to be an effective leader who pushed for positive change.
Angelou’s Powerhouse Legacy
May Angelou’s legacy continues to this day, even after her death in 2014. She was often described as an elegant woman and a figure of strength and power, encouraging people to stand up for their rights and fight for justice. Her works inspired countless people and her message of perseverance and her beautiful poetry will go on to be admired for generations. The insights and values that Angelou acquired in her childhood were the building blocks of what shaped the strong woman she eventually became. As such, her childhood provided her with the fundamentals she needed to become a powerful leader, making her an unforgettable icon.
Angelou’s Important Messages
The messages that Angelou expressed throughout her career continue to resonate with many today. She was unapologetic when it came to expressing her beliefs on race, justice, and the importance of education, which remain relevant to this day. Angelou’s autobiography continues to be a fan favorite, capturing her childhood and her struggles with fitting into her environment. The messages that Angelou spoke about for the empowerment of women, the fight for justice and the pursuit of education remain absolute necessities for today’s world.
Legacy of Unconditional Love
Despite many of the difficult challenges she face in her childhood, Angelou emerged a woman of power and love. She was compassionate and full of understanding for the struggles others were facing and spoke out against social injustice. She was someone who understood real life struggles, and her writing was her form of expressing the pain she had seen in her life. Angelou’s style of writing was warm, filled with beautiful passages of unadulterated love, which often highlighted the values that she held close to her heart. Angelou was also passionate about encouraging people to stand up to oppression, injustices, as well as sexism.
The Influence of Maya Angelou
The late Maya Angelou left behind a legacy that still motivates and inspires a countless number of people. She had a lasting impact on people’s lives and the way in which people approached issues such as race and gender. Her writing reflected her personal experiences and helped shaped the way she responded to life’s struggles. Her courage and poise in the face of adversity make her an inspiring figure to many people. Because of Maya Angelou, we have an example of strength, power, and love that should be remembered.
