Introducing The Next Generation Of Leaders And Thinkers

An Open Letter to Maya Angelou

5 18 2011 - OW Brunch
5 18 2011 – OW Brunch

Trigger warning: Rape

Dear Ms.Angelou,

May 28, 2016 marks two years that you passed. The face of feminism, in my opinion. From the day you were born, to the day you passed on, you changed so many lives.

Your life was never easy, not in the slightest. It was filled with obstacles. But you persevered. Bouncing from home to home. Even after becoming silent after being sexually abused by your mother’s boyfriend, you managed to turn this travesty into art. Your love of literature stemmed from this awful event. You went silent after this horrid experience, but a teacher introduced you to the art of literature. Thanks to her, you have privileged a plethora a people. This was just one of your many accomplishments.

Despite this newfound love, you were not able to pursue your dream immediately. Soon after graduating, your son was born. You worked as a waitress and cook for many years, putting your dreams on hold for you little boy.

You graced the world with your musical presence, changing your name to Maya Angelou and performed at nightclubs. Flourishing, your career started to move from nightclubs to touring on a production of Porgy and Bess and eventually, she blessed the world with her first album, ‘Miss Calypso’. Five songs off this piece of art were composed by you, and each song was better then the next (Neighbor,Neighbor was my personal favorite). This success was one of many, despite being a small one. Unfortunately, you refrained from making music for a while.

When you felt prepared enough, you moved to New York and found your love of writing again. This, to me, was my favorite choice you have ever made. Each and every literary piece you have ever constructed has a new sense of beauty, and for these I am grateful. Each word, with a deeper sentimental value than just its dictionary meaning. You did not stop at just poetry. You dabbled with everything, essays, children’s books, plays. This was not just a phase, you continued writing all through your life. Never fading, your talent stayed strong. Beautiful works like ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ and ‘Still I Rise’ helped me fall in love with you as a person.

Never stopping, you went from singing, to writing to becoming an activist. Upon request from Martin Luther King himself, you impacted many by becoming Northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Not only that, but you helped make history by organizing the Poor People’s march.

Receiving award after award, your work was always praised. From the Presidential award of freedom to the Quill Award for poetry. You have earned praise. The blood, sweat and tears that got you to fame were earned. Nothing was ever simply given to you. Every single thing you had was earned through hard work.

An author, an actress, a singer, an activist. Affecting so many lives through all your work. From sacrificing for your son to assisting in history. You changed lives. Your music lives on. Your poetry lives in. Your VOICE lives on, and it always will. Thank you Ms. Angelou, thank you so much.

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