Day 3, Maya Angelou
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.” - Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was an iconic American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She was born Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri in 1928. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she and her brother were sent to live with their grandmother in rural Arkansas. It was there that Angelou experienced the racism and segregation that would later inform much of her writing
Angelou's love of language and storytelling began at an early age. She was an avid reader and started writing poetry as a teenager. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including poverty, racism, and sexual assault, Angelou continued to pursue her passion for writing. She moved to San Francisco in the 1950s and became involved in the city's vibrant arts scene, performing in theatre productions and working as a nightclub singer.
In 1969, Angelou published her groundbreaking memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." The book chronicled her childhood experiences and the racism she faced as a young Black girl growing up in the American South. The book was a critical and commercial success, and it catapulted Angelou to international fame.
Angelou went on to write numerous books of poetry and prose, including "Gather Together in My Name," "Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas," and "The Heart of a Woman." Her writing was characterized by its honesty, lyricism, and powerful messages of hope and resilience.
In addition to her literary achievements, Angelou was also a prominent civil rights activist. She worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, and her writing often addressed issues of racial and social injustice. She also served as a professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.
Angelou's impact on American literature and culture cannot be overstated. Her writing has inspired generations of readers, and her legacy as a civil rights activist continues to inspire social change. She received numerous awards and honours throughout her life, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States.
Angelou passed away in 2014 at the age of 86, but her words and her spirit continue to resonate with readers, like myself around the world. Her courage to speak out about the injustices she faced, and her unwavering belief in the power of language to create change, has taught me to use my own voice to stand up for what I believe in. Her writing reminds me that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and beauty to be found. She once wrote, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou's writing made people feel seen, heard and understood, and her impact on literature and on society as a whole will continue to be felt for generations to come.