Introduction
Maya Angelou, born April 4th, 1928, is an iconic civil rights activist and an award winning poet, actress, and screenwriter. As an author, she is best-known for her seven autobiographies, in which she depicted her early life and the struggles she faced while growing up in the South. She first rose to fame following the 1969 publication of her memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. As an activist, she focused on women’s rights and civil rights, serving as an advocate for oppressed people throughout the world. In this article, we will explore the history of Angelou’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and her contributions to the cause.
Early Years
Angelou was exposed to civil rights activism from an early age. She grew up in the racially segregated South, and it is here that she developed her early understanding of racial injustice. As a young adult, she detailed her experiences with Jim Crow laws in her memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In the book, she recounts how these laws limited her access to public institutions and how racial violence shaped her life in the South. It was through this experience that she developed her firm commitment to bringing about equality, regardless of race.
Joining the Movement
In the late 1950s, Angelou began to focus more fully on civil rights by working as a director at the organization Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Here, she worked with famed civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King. Through her work with the SCLC, Angelou emerged as an influential voice within the movement. She served as a mentor to civil rights activists of her time and helped to publicize the plight of African Americans in the South.
Influence
Through her work with the SCLC, Angelou intensified her involvement in the civil rights movement. She formed relationships with other activists and civil rights leaders. She also began to serve as a bridge between the civil rights movement and the feminist movement. In addition, Angelou wrote and performed inspirational poetry that highlighted the importance of breaking down social barriers and working together to achieve equality.
In the Media
In addition to her work with the SCLC, Angelou also used her influence in media in order to bring attention to civil rights issues. She was a frequent guest on television and radio programs, where she discussed the state of racial discrimination in the United States. She also composed several poems on the theme of civil rights and these works were read on radio programs throughout the nation.
Current Involvement
Angelou’s involvement with the civil rights movement has been far-reaching. She continues to lecture on civil rights and racial justice and she serves as a mentor to many activists. In recent years, she has also been an advocate for equal education and healthcare reform in the United States.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Maya Angelou’s commitment to the civil rights movement has been enduring and inspiring. She has been at the forefront of the struggle for racial justice and equality for decades, and her work has had a lasting impact on those who have followed in her footsteps. Her experiences as a young adult shaped her conviction and commitment to the cause and these core beliefs remain a source of her strength today.
