In society today, limitations are bestowed to humans at birth and range from economic class, culture, and a country they were born into. All the previous examples of limitations only limit a person to the extent the person allows. People developed these situations into perceived shortcomings or they reason they can not to rise above or grow passed where they started. Maya Angelou, in “Graduation Day,” writes about situations she perceived as limitations, however, throughout the paper the obstacles she faced become the catalyst for growing belief in herself. Awareness that shortcomings develop from a mind’s own negative perception; sheds the light on the fact that limitations cultivate self-actualization. Impoverished school’s education quality …show more content…
The decision to grow beyond the expectations placed on education is an inward self-choice. Angelou did not waste a moment comparing her school’s level of education to those of the white schools. Instead Angelou, through her own determination, ingested every piece of knowledge her teachers imparted to her. Angelou writes, “My work alone had awarded me a top place and I was going to be one of the first called in the graduating ceremonies” (Angelou, 2014, p.182). Angelou decided to grow herself academically instead of dwelling on what her school lacked. People, in society today, will use their educational background as an excuse for their lack of self-motivation to achieve higher. They view their educational limitation as actually defined lines and they think they do not hold the knowledge to pass over them. Angelou did not view lines in her …show more content…
Angelou, as a black female, felt devalue because of the color of her skin and limited amount future options in front of her. During her graduation, she concludes, “We were maids and farmers, handymen and washerwomen, and anything higher than we aspired to was farcical and presumptuous” (Angelou, 2014, p. 186). Angelou lacked confidence and self-worth in herself and let the voices of others define her. Confidence is an integral part of self-value because it leads to the ability to forge a new direction. If a person can find their worth beyond their outward features they will gain the knowledge to travel passed the invisible lines. At the end of Angelou’s graduation, the idea that she held the key to her fate became a vocal proclamation ringing in her words, “I had been able to stretch myself tall and trembling and say, ‘I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death’” (Angelou, 2014, p. 188). Angelou found the worth that came from inside her and used it to push past the ethnic barriers. Developing self-worth beyond ethnicity does not mean losing the value that comes from it. It means confidence developed and a person can gain a greater understanding of
...s of particular importance to women. Angelou's book, although it is meant for a broad audience, is also concerned with conveying the difficulties of being black and a woman in America. Angelou addresses these issues in such a way that they appeal to all her readers for understanding, and also speak to the particular segment of her audience that she represents.
Angelou’s writings reflect who she was. We must learn who we are.
The separation of two different worlds often results in the lack of ability to communicate between one another. In Maya Angelou’s excerpt “Mary,” Angelou depicts the story of a girl named Marguerite who is employed as a slave in Mrs. Cullinan’s home. Angelou deliberately creates this character to symbolize the racial barrier between two worlds, black and white. She suggests that there is a pre-distinguished barrier between these two cultures and nothing can be done to change the natural reaction that comes along with communicating to another culture.
"Angelou, Maya (née Marguerite Annie Johnson)." Encyclopedia of African-american Writing. Amenia: Grey House Publishing, 2009. Credo Reference. Web. 12 March 2014.
Maya Angelou’s essay “Champion of the world” highlighted the cold fact that stereotypes and prejudice of race is existent for both white and black. Have you ever encountered a time where you felt biased to a person because of race? Well, if not you must live in a perfect world because Stereotypes and prejudice are just as relevant today as they were in the past. We as a people need to recognize this problem regardless of color; it is wrong. When I read “Champion of the world” that’s what I believe Angelou was trying to imply that Stereotypes and prejudice are even so more relevant today as they were in the time of her childhood especially to the so called “minority”. Stereotypes occur every day on a consistent basis but we tend to overlook
Maya Angelou lived through a time where she was discriminated against for not only her race but also her gender. In her poem “Still I Rise” Angelou sarcastically talks about how no matter what is thrown at her she will rise above it and she will do it with resilience and confidence. Her poem discusses racism and sexism and gives minorities and women a sense of hope to overcome and endure both of those things. Angelou’s self-assurance in the poem makes you believe that you too can overcome whatever obstacle. Although this poem was intended for blacks, and women, and specifically black women, the poem helps build up strong and courageous people no matter what race or gender you are. Maya Angelou in “Still I Rise” uses both pathos and ethos to
Throughout life graduation, or the advancement to the next distinct level of growth, is sometimes acknowledged with the pomp and circumstance of the grand commencement ceremony, but many times the graduation is as whisper soft and natural as taking a breath. In the moving autobiographical essay, "The Graduation," Maya Angelou effectively applies three rhetorical strategies - an expressive voice, illustrative comparison and contrast, and flowing sentences bursting with vivid simile and delightful imagery - to examine the personal growth of humans caught in the adversity of racial discrimination.
In Maya Angelou's Essay `Graduation' the use of language as a navigational tool is very evident, as it leads from emotion to emotion on the occasion of the author's graduation from eighth grade. Over the course of the work, Angelou displays 3 major emotions simply based from the language she uses; excitement, disappointment and finally, redemption
Humans consistently make comparisons between themselves and the next person, over fashion, cars, jobs, the nation they belong to, religion, and the land they own. All of these are material things, yet their egos divide them into groups who feel superior to the other in order to pride themselves. Pride can be beneficial, but it has more detrimental effects than positive ones, as pride and ego make people feel more important to others, spark rivalries between groups such as how nationalism influences war and hatred, and caused white people to treat the black community as an inferior people such as in Maya Angelou’s memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In this deeply frustrating yet inspiring text we follow Maya Angelou’s emotional roller coaster as she gains more confidence and pride in both herself and her race despite extensive setbacks such as being raped at eight years old, and she explains her
The receptionist sold short Angelou’s capabilities, but she wasn’t going to let that dissuade her, “Why did I insist on that particular job? Openings were going begging that paid nearly twice the money. The minor officials with whom I was able to win an audience thought me mad. Possibly I was”(268). Angelou’s emphasis focuses on the word “mad”, which the minor officials used to describe her. Angelou’s decision to go for a job, that no other black man, let alone women would ever dare to do justifies this as mad. The streetcar job not only paid less, but gave uneven hours to discourage her from getting the job. Not any benefits or salary increases would ever constitute this as a rational act. But it was Angelou’s will that allowed her to accept this, her awareness to all the consequences proves that she is willing to fight back against racism. Her discontent with not being a conductorette forces her to wake up every morning, tirelessly to trudge into the office; by which at the end, Angelou got the job. By getting that job, it proves that fighting with persistence makes a huge impact on combating racism. Angelou uses different methods to strive against racism, sometimes, all you need is a bit of help. Angelou’s recital, along with the other black children, gave back hope to the black race: “We were on top again. As always, again. We survived. The depths had been icy and dark, but now a bright sun spoke to our souls. I
...fe she really knew and felt deep down to the core of her being what the words truly meant. The words had brought back her hope and pride in herself and in her community. What Leavy had said was a fallacy and they could as they have in the past rise above the world's bigotry. Righteousness returned to Angelou and the entire community; "we were on top again."(841).
The early 1930’s a time where segregation was still an issue in the United States it was especially hard for a young African American girl who is trying to grow and become an independent woman. At this time, many young girls like Maya Angelou grew up wishing they were a white woman with blond hair and blue eyes. That was just the start of Angelou's problems though. In the autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou goes into great depth about her tragic childhood, from moving around to different houses, and running away and having a child at the age of 16. This shows how Maya overcame many struggles as a young girl.
In Maya Angelou’s third book of poetry And Still I Rise, the personal struggles of the African American Woman are brought to life through poetic works. With inspirations drawn from personal journeys of Maya Angelou herself, powerful poems praise, celebrate, and empathize with the feminine colored experience. Angelou’s writing sheds glaring light on themes of feminine power, beauty, and perseverance, raising the African American Woman to a pedestal that demands respect and adoration. For Angelou’s audience, the everyday woman is presented equipped with all the necessities to thrive and shine in the face of adversity. In Maya Angelou’s works “Phenomenal Woman”, “Woman Work”, and “Still I Rise”, audiences are able to connect to the strength and virtue of the woman that is brought to life through the praising of femininity, and through its power to make an impact on society.
One reason blacks should rise above their oppression is so they can better themselves and in turn make a better life for their next generation, just as their ancestors tried to do. ? Bring the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave? says Angelou is taking the lessons learned from their ancestors and dreaming and hoping to rise above slavery. They felt that if they rose above slavery, their children and grandchildren would not have to partake in torture and pain.
It is said that when we look in the mirror, we see our reflection; but what is it that we really see? Some people look through the glass and see a totally different person. All across the world identity is an issue that many women have. Woman today must be skinny, tall, thick, fair skinned and have long hair in order to be considered beautiful. Maya Angelou feels otherwise, as she gives women another way to look at themselves through her poem "Phenomenal Woman".