Maya Angelou's Legacy Paper

This past May, I was saddened to learn of the death of Maya Angelou. I had studied some of her works in high school, and through these works, I learned to appreciate poetry. Sometimes poetry can make no sense to me and I struggle to understand the intended messages. However, I found that to be different with the poetry of Maya Angelou. Her poems speak to racism, discrimination, and many different kinds of struggles. I can remember a quote of Angelou’s that I used in writing my senior legacy paper, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by these.” In a way, her works helped me to better accept that challenges that I encountered in high school. While I understand that my life does not

She was an influential voice in a radically divided America and in the civil rights movement. Her many accomplishments cross lines of race, gender, sexuality, and culture. I believe that one of Maya Angelou’s poems called a “Phenomenal Woman” sums her up perfectly. She was a novelist, actress, singer, director, scholar, researcher, poet, cable car driver, and even a brothel madam. Most importantly she was an integral part of the civil rights movement. Surviving poverty, family violence, rape, and a distressing childhood; Angelou was able to turn her notable, tumultuous life into resourceful encouragement, particularly in her autobiographical works and her

On the Pulse of Morning was a poem read by Angelou at the inauguration of President Clinton in January, 1993. Angelou was only the second person to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration. The meaning of her poem was how people should be connected to one another and it was also about solidarity. In commenting about the poem she said, “In all my works, what I try to say is that as human beings we are more alike than we are unlike.” Other volumes include Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie (1971), Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well (1975), And Still I Rise (1978), Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? (1983), and I Shall Not Be Moved