Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelouwas an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and was credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, tells of her...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth4 April 1928
CitySt. Louis, MO
CountryUnited States of America
For a person who grew up in the '30s and '40s in the segregated South, with so many doors closed without explanation to me, libraries and books said, 'Here I am, read me.' Over time I have learned I am at my best around books.
Those of us who submitted or surrendered our ideas and dreams and identities to the 'leaders' must take back our rights, our identities, our responsibilities.
Never whine. Whining lets a brute know that a victim is in the neighborhood.
I'm grateful to be of use. I will not be misused or abused, but I will be of use to anybody.
The first thing I do in the morning when I awaken is say, 'Thank you, Lord!' I'm grateful to be alive, and I'm going to try to tell the truth as well as I know and tell it as eloquently as I can so that people can hear it.
You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.
My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.
We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.
My life has been long, and believing that life loves the liver of it, I have dared to try many things, sometimes trembling, but daring still.
I am a Woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that's me.
Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.
Poetry puts starch in your backbone so you can stand, so you can compose your life.
We need to remember that we are all created creative and can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed.
I am overwhelmed by the grace and persistence of my people.