Maya Angelous Great Influence and Success Essay - 679 Words

The inspiring African-American woman born in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri has been one of the many influential voices of our time. Educating herself and having love for the arts helped mold her life into what she imagined becoming a poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and even a civil rights activist. During her early years while still in High School Dr. Angelou experienced brutal racial discrimination directing her to the values of traditional African-Americans. In High School Dr. Angelou received a scholarship for a labor school in San Francisco but eventually dropping out. During the years of 1954 and 1955 Dr. Angelou toured Europe with a production named Porgey and Bess these would†¦show more content†¦Angelou went back into writing working on book named I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings which was published in 1970 as well as for many other books that she published becoming bestsellers. Writing many screenplays and compos ing Dr. Angelou scored for the film in 1972 Georgia, Georgia, her script was the first ever African American women ever to be filmed and got nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Continuing to appear on television and in films being featured in the Alex Haley’s Roots and John Singleton’s Poetic Justice later directing a film Down-in the Delta. In 2008 Dr. Angelou composed poetry and narrated an award winning documentary of The Black Candle which was directed by M.K. Asante. Dr. Angelou served in the presidential committees having been awarded the Presidential medal of arts in 2000 as well as the Lincoln medal in 2008 and has received 3 Grammy awards. Dr. Angelou read her poem of on the pulse of the morning which was broadcasted around the world. Dr. Angelou’s honorary skills have leaded her to earn more than 50 honorary degrees. After the devastating occurrence of Martin Luther King Jr’s death Dr. Angelou did not celebrate her birthday afterwards but sent flo wers to King’s widow named Coretta Scott King for more than 30 years until Coretta died in 2006. Maya Angelou is the first black woman to write and produce several prize-winning documentaries such as Afro-American in the arts which was a PBS special later receiving a GoldenShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Interpretation of None the Other, Maya Angelou1508 Words   |  7 Pagesworld holds. Dr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman, Dr. Angelou is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. As a strong African-American woman, she has experienced the brutality of racial discrimination, yet also absorbed the unshakable faith and values of traditional African-American family, community, and culture. Dr. Maya Angelou’s notorious aspectsRead MoreMaya Angelou1001 Words   |  5 PagesMaya Angelou You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness. But still, like air, Ill rise. Have you ever been so influenced by such a small amount of powerful words? This brilliant quote extracted from Maya Angelous own poem, Still I Rise, basically brings out the spirit and nature of each of her publications. Maya Angelous works of poetry are seen as inspiration for those who have been discriminated for their public appearances. AsRead MoreMaya Angelou’s Unique Self Essay2562 Words   |  11 Pageslabeled in that early environment. In later years they change faces, places, and maybe races, tactics, intensities and goals, but beneath those penetrable masks they wear forever the stocking-capped faces of childhood (Angelou, 2009, p.20). 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She criticizes the biased societal expression that expects womenRead MoreI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou6502 Words   |  27 PagesAnalysis: Chapters 1–5 The lines from the poem Maya cannot finish, â€Å"What are you looking at me for? I didn’t come to stay . . .† capture two of the most significant issues she struggles with in her childhood and young adulthood: feeling ugly and awkward and never feeling attached to one place. First, Maya imagines that though people judge her unfairly by her awkward looks, they will be surprised one day when her true self emerges. At the time, she hopes that she will emerge as if in a fairy-taleRead MoreThe United States Of America2072 Words   |  9 PagesThe United States of America has been celebrated as the great â€Å"Melting Pot† among the nations, and rightfully so. The influx of immigrants from multiple countries, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds have furthered diversified the beliefs, traditions, and expectations represented within our country. The influence that this diversity had upon our nation has shaped our country’s ideals and behaviors, which are still pr esent today. The original intention behind the founding of our nation was to provide