Maya Angelou is one of the most influential and inspiring poets of our time. Her writing provoked thought, heightened awareness and tackled difficult issues while celebrating life. It is obvious that her writing was deeply rooted in her personal experiences, especially her struggles with racism and injustice, which added depth and texture to her work. Therefore, it is logical to ask why she chose to become a poet.
Her Exposure to Poetry Growing Up
Growing up in St. Louis, Angelou was exposed to poems, folk tales and music.A great deal of this was courtesy of her grandmother, Annie Henderson, who instilled a love of literature in Angelou due to the stories she would tell. Angelou remembers always being awe-inspired by her grandmother’s stories, feeling like they gave her a direct connection to the past.As she evolved into an independent woman and experienced things of her own, her admiration of poetry only grew as she naturally sought solace and an outlet to express herself.
Her Struggles With Character and Identity
Angelou had not only faced racism and prejudice, but at a young age she had been raped which led her to feel stolen of her own identity and dignity. This made Angelou feel out of control. Although Angelou’s time spent living in Cairo had helped to restore her faith in humanity, it also saw her mistrust of people. Writing for her became a way for her to express her deepest feelings without having to physically verbalize them. She challenged her own fears and insecurities by making her writing her refuge.
Her Belief in Education
Angelou firmly believed in the power of education and language. As she spent so much of her younger years in libraries and classrooms, she knew, first-hand, the power and potential of words to communicate and to inspire. As she put it, “words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.” As Angelou devoted herself to education and delved deeper into her writing, she realized that poetry was a way to convey her personal message and story across to the world and act as a mediator between her readers and her own experience.
Her Purpose to Educate
Once Angelou had fully embraced poetry and literature, she felt the urge to share it with others. She knew the power knowledge could hold and she wanted to empower her people and disseminate her message of hope and justice. In her opinion, sharing her writing was the only way it could truly be a force for change as it would end up in the hands of different kinds of readers that could have, perhaps, never heard of her if it hadn’t been for her writing.
Her Goal to Create Change
Angelou frequently stressed the need to make an impact by highlighting her personal experiences and the connections they had to larger, ongoing problems of injustice and oppression. She wanted her readers to question their views of the world, to see the potential in each other and know that change was possible. By becoming a poet, she was unlocking a realm of possibility that allowed her readers to feel a sense of connection with her message, of being heard and understood.
Her Short Story Writing
On top of her poetry, Angelou would also write short stories, autobiographies and plays. She was a fierce supporter and proponent of Black-American literature and culture, completely aware that understanding and appreciating the growth of their writing was the surefire way to combat racism. Regina Bradley on Angelou’s writing states, “She wrote with polyphony, comfort and unrest. Her writing sang with Blackness—it resonated with depth and nuance, allowing it to become a living, breathing song in and of itself.”
Her Novels and Screenplays
Maya Angelou’s work is intertwined with her own personal philosophy and stories. However, her novels, screenplays and other works extend beyond just her life experiences. She wrote many screenplays, including the Emmy-nominated Television film, “Gypsy: The Life of Gypsy Rose Lee”. Her successful books included “Mom & Me & Mom”, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”, and her most popular book, “The Heart Of A Woman”. This book was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Her Influence and Impact
Her impact on African American Literature and culture is still felt today, and her influence on poetry had a reverberating impact on a generation of writers and poets. Several works on her life have been released, her poetry is included in several books and she made numerous public appearances to share her message of wisdom and hope. Angelou was an advocate for justice and equality, and through her poetry, she made sure that her message of hope was heard far and wide.
Her Documentaries and Awards
Angelou’s work has been spread even further with the release of the HBO documentary feature “Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise” in 2016. This film went on to win a Peabody Award. She was honored with several awards such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the NAACP Image Award, and several Grammy Awards. She was also inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame and the National Women’s Hall of Fame. All these honors symbolize the impact of her works and the advocacy she provided for the African American community.
Her Contributions to the World of Poetry
Maya Angelou’s work is the embodiment of her advocacy for Black American culture and her work towards creating a more just and equitable world. She made poetry and writing accessible to everyone and provided an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to connect through literature and poetry. Angelou’s words and works have often uplifted and inspired both her readers and listeners. Besides books, poems, plays and short stories, she was also a professor and a spokesperson for important causes.
Her Musical Tributes and Special Appearances
To honor her inspiring life, there have been several special appearances and tributes dedicated to her memory. For example, Oprah Winfrey and Alicia Keys honored her at the 2017 Grammy Awards and in 2018, rappers Common and Cardi B. released a single titled “Maya Angelou”. Musicians such as John Legend, Jay-Z, and Aretha Franklin have all expressed their admiration for her work. Above all, Angelou has provided the world with a source of comfort, strength, and hope.
