by Cookie N Screen
This year, we lost a true poet. No, wait, we lost a true humanitarian. No, wait, we lost the ultimate modern culture icon who helped pave the way for rights as well as a wagging her tongue round evocative verses that portrayed the pain of her past with the mind of the present and the hope of the future. The death of Maya Angelou ricocheted across the globes and the nations she had brought together with her astute, vibrant and beautiful written work. As a voice for her generation, as well as an active role in revolution, Angelou graced this world with her intellect and talent. Let's be sycophantic, and rightly so, Angelou was indeed her namesake and then some; a goddess to grace this Earth.
This year, we lost a true poet. No, wait, we lost a true humanitarian. No, wait, we lost the ultimate modern culture icon who helped pave the way for rights as well as a wagging her tongue round evocative verses that portrayed the pain of her past with the mind of the present and the hope of the future. The death of Maya Angelou ricocheted across the globes and the nations she had brought together with her astute, vibrant and beautiful written work. As a voice for her generation, as well as an active role in revolution, Angelou graced this world with her intellect and talent. Let's be sycophantic, and rightly so, Angelou was indeed her namesake and then some; a goddess to grace this Earth.
Angelou was born in St Louis Missouri in 1928 and was sent to live in Arkansa with her family when she was four, alongside her brother after their parents ended their marriage in turmoil. When she was eight, she was sent to back to live with her mother where she was tragically abused by her mother’s boyfriend of the time. After his arrest, sentencing and eventual release, her perpertrator was murdered. However, the impact of the assault had rendered her voiceless. For five years, she barely uttered a syllable, blaming the unjust abuse for “taking her voice.”
Through the help of a teacher, Mrs Bertha Flowers (who was also a family friend,) Angelou found solace and herself again through the teachings of classical and modern literature such as Charles Dickens, Shakespeare and Douglas Johnson, inspiring her into creatives. At the time, however, Angelou schooled at California Labour School where she would graduate and become to first female black streetcar conductor of San Franscisco and birth her first child Clyde (now Guy Johnson) at 17.
Her career from then dived into many forms of art, firstly involved in dance and song. Studying the craft, she became well known in the clubs. Despite many of her first acts never succeeded, when she toured as a soloist around clubs such as The Purple Onion, the lit up the stage with her vibrancy, passion and capture of Calypso dancing that garnered her an acclaimed album too. Her vocals and talent led her to tour thorough the 50’s in operas such as Porgy and Bess, including illuminating theatres across Europe. Her Off Broadway work comprised of her own compositions that excelled.
Through the help of a teacher, Mrs Bertha Flowers (who was also a family friend,) Angelou found solace and herself again through the teachings of classical and modern literature such as Charles Dickens, Shakespeare and Douglas Johnson, inspiring her into creatives. At the time, however, Angelou schooled at California Labour School where she would graduate and become to first female black streetcar conductor of San Franscisco and birth her first child Clyde (now Guy Johnson) at 17.
Her career from then dived into many forms of art, firstly involved in dance and song. Studying the craft, she became well known in the clubs. Despite many of her first acts never succeeded, when she toured as a soloist around clubs such as The Purple Onion, the lit up the stage with her vibrancy, passion and capture of Calypso dancing that garnered her an acclaimed album too. Her vocals and talent led her to tour thorough the 50’s in operas such as Porgy and Bess, including illuminating theatres across Europe. Her Off Broadway work comprised of her own compositions that excelled.
Her written work would be urged on by novelist John Oliver Killens who told her that she should concentrate on her written work. And promptly, she joined the Harlem’s Writers Guild. Over the course of her career, she would write sonnets, stories, plays and films, including a Swedish film named Georgia Georgia. She would also continue to act, on stage and on screen, garnering many awards for her acting in television success Roots.
It’s her work as an author that really triumphed into the legacy of today. Penning her over 60 books including I Know Why Caged Bird Sings (which is fantastically reviewed by Hayleyhere,) the gravitas of Angelou’s style and work breathed life into the written word. Her poetic skill between semantics and technicalities of the verse were inspired. And I Still Rise was a stirring and honest collection of poems that expanded on her family and love. Whilst the children’s poem Life Doesn’t Frighten me addresses innocence and fear that should be read to your children to excite and calm them. Of my favourites is Phenomenal Woman, which again, should be devoured whole-heartedly. Conveying the nuances that make us human, she teaches the audience to care, love and find strength in our endurance with life. Self-love and acceptance are key to this collection of poetry and that message, through the vitality of Angelou’s poetic skill will dig underneath your skin and wrap around your soul. The most acclaimed poem by Angelou is On The Pulse Of The Morning which was written and read on the eve of President Clinton’s inauguration, here is just a snippet to convey the utmost splendour of that work;
You, created only a little lower than
The angels, have crouched too long in
The bruising darkness
Have lain too long
Facedown in ignorance,
Your mouths spilling words
Armed for slaughter.
The Rock cries out to us today,
You may stand upon me,
But do not hide your face.
It’s her work as an author that really triumphed into the legacy of today. Penning her over 60 books including I Know Why Caged Bird Sings (which is fantastically reviewed by Hayleyhere,) the gravitas of Angelou’s style and work breathed life into the written word. Her poetic skill between semantics and technicalities of the verse were inspired. And I Still Rise was a stirring and honest collection of poems that expanded on her family and love. Whilst the children’s poem Life Doesn’t Frighten me addresses innocence and fear that should be read to your children to excite and calm them. Of my favourites is Phenomenal Woman, which again, should be devoured whole-heartedly. Conveying the nuances that make us human, she teaches the audience to care, love and find strength in our endurance with life. Self-love and acceptance are key to this collection of poetry and that message, through the vitality of Angelou’s poetic skill will dig underneath your skin and wrap around your soul. The most acclaimed poem by Angelou is On The Pulse Of The Morning which was written and read on the eve of President Clinton’s inauguration, here is just a snippet to convey the utmost splendour of that work;
You, created only a little lower than
The angels, have crouched too long in
The bruising darkness
Have lain too long
Facedown in ignorance,
Your mouths spilling words
Armed for slaughter.
The Rock cries out to us today,
You may stand upon me,
But do not hide your face.
Her biographies such as Gather in My Name would also convey the sorrow and rage of her background yet tinge it with the hope and determination of her personality. Even at the age of 85, a year before her death, she released a book about the tentative relationship with her mother titled Mom & Me & Mom. Very much an indictment of emotions and the history behind her work, Angelou’s seventh autobiography is outstandingly well balanced, heavily verbose and cleverly written, with the eight of her life and talent allowing it the triumph on the page. And this is a mere small sample of her work, over 60 books to read, you'll always have an excellent read at your hands. Angelou spent her life time carving out a legacy and it needs to be studied by all.
As well as all this Angelou worked on Civil Rights, helping Martin Luther King organise marches and speeches until is assassination. She actively helped out in campaigns alongside Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as speaking out against racism and for women's rights. Her understanding and grasp of human nature was mind blowing and her phrases linger on the tips of activists and anyone who believes that life lived equal, fair and just is the only way to live. Angelou gave the world the gift of beauty and intelligence, conveying her suffering into exquisite and astounding achievements in many platforms. Up until her death early this year, she paved a golden – no, platinum, world for us to grab hold to, and her legacy will continue you inspire generations. When you enter the book store next, head over to her section and find her work as you’ll be awash with her soul. She should be the first on school lists, the first on your book shelves and when you look up “icon” or “idol,” her name should be first.
As well as all this Angelou worked on Civil Rights, helping Martin Luther King organise marches and speeches until is assassination. She actively helped out in campaigns alongside Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as speaking out against racism and for women's rights. Her understanding and grasp of human nature was mind blowing and her phrases linger on the tips of activists and anyone who believes that life lived equal, fair and just is the only way to live. Angelou gave the world the gift of beauty and intelligence, conveying her suffering into exquisite and astounding achievements in many platforms. Up until her death early this year, she paved a golden – no, platinum, world for us to grab hold to, and her legacy will continue you inspire generations. When you enter the book store next, head over to her section and find her work as you’ll be awash with her soul. She should be the first on school lists, the first on your book shelves and when you look up “icon” or “idol,” her name should be first.
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