Still I Rise - Assignment Example

Still I Rise Summary The choice of poetic ‘Still I Rise’ has several indications about what the had in mind. The first thought that gets in my head after viewing the topic is a person struggling to gain a significant ground in a society. The writer as either a person or echoing a voice of other portrays the will and urges to rise so that they can get recognition. There is a possibility that either the writer or the certain people within the society are undermined or oppressed. A voice seeks to prove power and potential to carry on even within the current constraints. The title clearly indicates that plight of various categories will be addressed. In addition, the poems will also reveal the actual potential of the various groups facing the hardship conditions. The description of beauty that portrays the image of a woman implies that Maya refers to a struggling woman in this poetic masterpiece. Analysis of the work Historical period The historical period that the Maya worked on her poem was full of racial discrimination as well as oppression against Women. The situation is evident in her bibliography as well as all her works that seem to oppose and fight a certain form of oppression and social inequality. Mayas young age made her witness racial segregation and even as a young woman, she was the first black woman to serve as a commuter car operator. It means that black women were not allowed to do certain jobs at during that time. In 1950’s Maya got involved in civil rights movement in many parts of the world including Cairo Egypt and Ghana. She met Malcolm X and even got much involved in the civil rights revolution that demanded equity among people from different races. Assassination was a common trait among the prominent activists in the United States. According to her autobiography, Malcolm X was assassinated at the time when Maya had started working with her. Insight in the work gained from Maya’s Biography One of the famous quotes that Angelou Maya made was concerning her works. The legendary poet stated that one might face many challenges in life but that must not put u down and out at the same time (Angelou, 2005). She further stated that the downfall might be an important source of realizing ones potential and determination that can strengthen someone. The poet was born on April 4, 1928 with her initial name Marguerite Ann Johnson. Her name Maya was a nickname orchestrated by her brother Bailey that she later made it official in 1949. The name was later to become one of the hottest names on stage and in the field of poetry. Maya was raised by her paternal grandparents after she had witnessed her parents divorced. This clearly indicates that her hardship and challenges started when she was still very young at just 3 years (Angelou, 2005). Maya and her new family though financially stable faced the challenges of the social injustices such as racial discrimination (Kirkpatrick, 2002). Maya’s parents later reunited and eventually Maya and her brother later went back to St. Louis. As she grew, Maya had an identity crisis as well that saw her convince a man to make her conceive. She had many challenges while she was a young mother; she even went a step further to serve as the first African American street conductor. The numerous challenges during her motherhood saw her babysitter kidnap her son. Her life later had a U-turn when she ventured into dance, poetry, singing and acting. Her whole story is a voice of hope for all that feels underpinned in the society. Theme of determination According to Black Women Labor Leaders’ Voices (2015), one of the works that interests me the most is the poem that bears the title of Angelou Maya’s collection still I rise. The poem is so symbolic and inspirational that can encourage anyone who thinks that he or she lives below a ‘common’ social standard. The main issue brought up by this poem is determination and the fruits that word can have. The poem was written at a time when two types of oppression likely existed; oppression against the black and slavery; and oppression against women (Kirkpatrick, 2002). According to the poet, there is a possibility that her group had been disregarded for a very long time in the past. Her race and gender had possibly faced conviction without any source or justice in a way that malice and social underpinning had played a better part to write off Maya and her social equals. Oppression made sure that Maya’s group did not get any public attention. However, determination was a key component that saw Maya’s social group start to gain recognition. Determination gave the oppressed the energy to prove that they were also beautiful and can surprise the oppressor. The oppressed had an enormous diversity of talent that their counterparts could hardly find an equal. Angelou poetically represents that o matter what poor past one has experienced he or she can use determination and get to prominence and recognition. According to the poem, the words ‘still I rise’ show the strong will and determination of the oppressed to imply that they have already risen and that is just the beginning of the rising spree. Determination is a trait anyone can have and it requires courage. In her poem ‘still I rise’, Maya asks her hater if her courage and outgoing nature offends them. She does not give much care to what they care or think since she will continue to rise as the sun, she promises to laugh as a rich woman who owns so much wealth that she compares to gold. Maya’s spirit is unbreakable and nothing can stop her from exploiting her potentials. Relevance of Maya’s works Maya’s work has various relevance in today’s lives for many people across all races. One important issue raised is the fruits and need for determination. Maya’s works portrays that determination can raise someone from nothing to something. The fact that one is down should not totally underpin him or her. Another important aspect raised by Maya’s works is the need for social equality and justice. The main lesson here comes from the fact that someone you look down upon can rise to become more important and relevant to the society. Her works imply that; all individuals in a society should uphold equality. Maya rose from a state where she was undermined to a point where she was celebrated and seen as a role model even to those who did not see her as a significant figure (Black Women Labor Leaders’ Voices, 2015). Her poetry also gives hopes and encouragement to the women who have been given a lower profile within the society. Women are encouraged to learn to appreciate their beauty, potential and talent. Women just like men can take up opportunities and equally compete with men. Women are have the potential to appeal the eye and can amaze anyone. Maya’s past life experiences definitely played an important part in sparking her determination. She was not held back from working as a commuter car operator since she was a woman. She beat all odds and used this job to support her only child. Many people can beat the odds that currently limit them from exploiting their full potential. Mayas work portrays that there is no shame in trying coz failure is part of learning. Knowledge gained People have various sources where they generate power with some opting for money, others taking advantage of historical conveniences and others taking advantage of family. According to Angelou Maya, everyone has an internal potential that can be nurtured to create a bigger image that the whole society can find reference to. A person needs is determination and hope that they can become useful in future. According to Maya’s work, it does not matter the current oppression or social disadvantage. The disadvantages can spark creativity just like Maya who realized her legendary talent and creativity in poetry. Her works make me contemplate on the various talents and potential that I can make use when hard times come knocking at my door (Black Women Labor Leaders’ Voices 2015). References Angelou M (2005). Autobiography. Retrieved on December 4th, 2015 from http://salempress.com/store/pdfs/angelou.pdf Black Women Labor Leaders’ Voices (2015). Still I Rise: Power and Promise. Retrieved on December 4th, 2015 from http://and-still-i-rise.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ASIR4_21.pdf Kirkpatrick K (2002). The Life and Works of Maya Angelou. Retrieved on December 4th, 2015 from http://u.osu.edu/gordon.3/files/2012/06/Kathryn-Kirkpatrick.pdf Read More