Essay: Maya Angelou

INTRODUCTION
Maya Angelou is one of the most important poets, artists, journalists, activists, and authors from the 20th century. With a resume like that it is no surprise that she became a very influential and historical figure in life. In her long and eventful life Maya Angelou has always fought for others and guided the course of history. Fighting racism and lifting spirits not with power but with her words and literature. There is no question that Maya Angelou is historic due to her death leaving a hole in society. Even then it had given rise to a new generation of those who use words to protest inspired by much of her work and her pushes for equality. Her metaphors forever echoing in the halls of true art for decades to come.
YOUTH
Maya’s childhood was not an easy one. Growing up black she had to face racial obstacles especially as she tried to move forward in life. When she grew up, she lived with her paternal grandmother and her brother, since her parents were divorced. Then eventually when she did have the opportunity to visit her mother, her mother’s boyfriend raped her. So when word had gotten out her brothers fueled with rage killed the man who raped her. Unsurprisingly, shocking her into a state of reclusiveness, where she was mute for a big chunk of her adolescence. Yet, she was able to build the courage to move to California after earning a scholarship to the California Labor School. Where she had already started breaking ground, becoming the first female African American cable car conductor. Although it didn’t last long we see that she was not afraid to do what was necessary to be successful and provide for herself after sometime her son, by holding a variety of odd jobs. Maya Angelou in her youth had always had to fight to be successful and face her the underlying issues in her life. It is that spirit that would carry her through her life and push her to be the best she could be. (citation needed)
HER STRUGGLES AND TRAVELS
Maya Angelou has always had to persevere in her life. From the conviction of her rapist and his death she had to cope with the trauma. Yet, she still found the courage to go to college and raise a child. She even fought for civil rights alongside the likes of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcom X. Even giving the inaugural speech for Bill Clinton. Her focus in life had always been on advocating for those who aren’t treated equally. Whether it be because of religion, sexuality, or race, Maya Angelou has never shied away from standing up for others. Mostly because she didn’t feel represented or wanted as a child and has experienced firsthand the effects of racial prejudice. When we have this in mind it is easy to see why she wanted to help those around her. She had to persevere through the traumas in her early life to become so successful and to change the lives of so many. Maya Angelou spent time abroad in Africa where she met Malcolm X. When she returned to the United States and participated in part of the biggest movements in America. She began a friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King then named her Northern Coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. (Citation Needed)
ART AND POETRY
She also left her words of wisdom behind in words of her art form, poetry. For her it was a way to express herself. She wrote poems about at the time the very important issue regarding racism and discrimination. She did so, so well she earned National Book Award becoming the first African American Woman to have authored a book to be a best seller. Her most famous book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” begins talking about how Maya felt ugly being a small little African American girl in a world that a little white girl was found more desirable. She used her words to speak to the truest and saddest facts of both history and humankind. From how not all people seem to be helping the world to how there are plenty ways to help all Americans and people in general with the first step being respect for one another. Inspiring thousands and relating to all the other in the world little black girls who needed representation and recognition.