Maya Angelou Maya Angelou Research Papers

We all experience tragedies in our lives at some point. However, many of us let these tragedies take hold and control us. Trapping us inside with the feeling of no way to escape, but it is the people, like Maya Angelou, who can take so many of these tragedies and turn them into something greater. Not only to help herself cope with these tragedies, but as a way to inspire others along the way as well.

Marguerite Annie Johnson was an African American born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri to her two parents, Bailey and Vivian Johnson, and older brother Bailey Johnson Jr., who is a year older than Maya. At a young age Marguerite was given the nickname Maya by her brother Bailey, and that nickname has stuck ever since then. She grew up

As a result the two of them had to move across country to Stamps, Arkansas to live with their grandmother. Maya and Bailey were forced to travel to travel across the country by themselves at just three and four years old. The two of them were given two tickets to use the train to travel to Arkansas. However, it was a dangerous and risky thing they did. Kids weren’t typically allowed to travel without their parents, so if they were to get caught who knows what would happen to them. (“Maya Angelou Biography”). “Bailey had to take on the influence of a parent at that very moment. To become my protector and guardian. At such a young age this is the moment I saw him grow up.” (“The Story About Maya Angelou that you have never heard in her own words”). Maya had spent two long nights and three long days on the train. With little to no food or money. Too timid to approach any adult in fear they would be caught alone. After the three grueling days Maya and Bailey walked off the train in Stamps, Arkansas to see their grandmother there waiting for them. Maya felt a sigh of relief. Thinking that everything would finally be okay. She would once again come face to face with extraordinary torment and hardships (“Maya Angelou

She then decided to move to Ghana, Africa with her son in 1962 in pursuit of finding more information about her ancestors and heritage. However, Maya just couldn’t get a break from writing because while she was in Africa Maya became the editor for The African Review and the writer for the Ghanaian Times. She decided to write all about her experiences while in Africa which she published into a book named “All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes.” After spending three years in Africa, Maya moved back to the United States with her son in 1965 in hope for some more inspiration to help further her in her writing career. ("Maya Angelou"). Maya stated, “For Africa to me... is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place.” (““The Story About Maya Angelou that you have never heard in her own