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Maya Angelou is an African American author, poet, singer, dancer, and actor. Her work in various forms of media has a strong feminist undertone and her stories continue to be unbelievably inspirational. Maya Angelou was a respected spokesperson for African Americans and women. Her work represented a strong resilience against those who continue push the underrepresented down. She is most known for her autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which tells the story of her tough early life. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was also the first nonfiction best seller by an African American woman. She was also the first African American woman to have her screenplay “Georgia, Georgia” produced. Maya Angelou was also part of the Harlem Writers Guild which consisted of African American writers who wanted a voice because theirs were not included in mainstream literature. Her stories showed the unbreakable strength and a voice that was desperately needed during the 20th century.

In Audre Lorde’s piece, "Poetry Is Not a Luxury." she writes, “For women, then, poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence...Poetry is the way we help give name to the nameless so it can be taught” (Lorde 2). This quote encapsulates Maya Angelou’s poetry. Angelou’s work was incredibly emotional and powerful. Many of her stories spoke about her extremely difficult life and it connected with many different people because it was something they could relate to and something that was not often portrayed in mainstream media. After her death in 2014 there was a giant Twitter movement where many celebrities and thousands of fans reminisce about her work. Angelou’s words gave a voice to her readers and it continues to inspire many people today.
“I Know Why the Caged Bird sings” continues to be taught widely in schools but has faced controversy because of it’s portrayal of race, sexual abuse and violence. In the autobiography Angelou talks about her traumatic childhood including getting raped at age 7 and then becoming mute by choice for five years afterwards. She also describes finding her voice through the many stories of other African American authors and other poets; also through the help of an educated black woman, Mrs. Flowers, who inspired her with the power of words. Angelou’s poetry has been applauded for her depictions of black beauty, the power of women, and the strength of the human spirit.

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One of her most well known poems “Still I Rise” continues to influence people today. In 2015, rapper Nicki Minaj recited the poem at Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America. The concert was made to address the growing racial conflicts going on in America. In Angelou’s poem she expresses that no amount of negativity and life barriers will push her down and how she will continue to rise through self confidence and resilience. During the concert Angelou’s poem shared a connection with many African Americans and people of color to show that no matter the circumstance they can power through and rise.
In Laura Mulvey’s “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” she says, “There is an obvious interest in this analysis for feminist, a beauty in its exact rendering of the frustration experienced under the phallocentric order. It gets us nearer to the roots of our oppression” (Mulvey 2). This quote can also relate to Maya Angelou’s work because she also uses her poems and literary work to show her oppression but also show her power to grow out of it and rise above the many factors and problems that tried to push her down.

When I was younger I did a report on Maya Angelou. I did not know anything about her but after reading her poetry and her life story I was incredibly moved. Her poetry and autobiographies are incredible and powerful. Her stories can connect with anyone and everyone. The stories important and hearing her point of view is not only all-powerful but also very important. The fact that Maya Angelou still found happiness in the world and used her hardships to give a voice to people who struggled showed how inspirational she was and still is Here is a poem that inspires me.

Work Cited Page:

David, Sonia. “Maya Angelou- The Inspirational Feminist.” Respect Women, 8 Apr. 2017, respectwomen.co.in/maya-angelou-the-inspirational-feminist/.

Lorde, Audre. "Poetry Is Not a Luxury." Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches. Freedom, CA: Crossing Press, 1984. 36-39.

“Maya Angelou.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 30 Aug. 2017, www.biography.com/people/maya-angelou-9185388.

“Maya Angelou.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/maya-angelou.

Mulvey, Laura. “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema.” Film Theory and Criticism : Introductory Readings. Eds. Leo Braudy and Marshall Cohen. New York: Oxford UP, 1999: 833-44.