Maya Angelou Influences and Inspirations
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1. Angelou’s Early Life and Influences
2. Angelou’s Inspiration by Activism
3. Angelou’s Legacy and Influence
4. Angelou’s Works
5. Angelou’s Powerful Message
Maya Angelou was an iconic and renowned American author, poet, and civil rights activist. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Honor, Pulitzer Prize nominations and the National Medal of Arts. Much of her inspired works were drawn from her diverse experiences, her strong faith and philosophy, and her admiration for other leading social figures.
Through her writings, Maya Angelou often highlighted themes of resilience, faith, courage, and triumph; a reflection of her life and influence of her beloved mentors and idols. Being a child of the great depression, Angelou was particularly influenced by the stories of brave individuals, who overcame great adversity and raised in spite of discrimination and restraint. Some, in particular, played a pivotal role in Angelou’s life journey and development as a social pioneer.
One of Angelou’s earliest and most profound influences, were two particular women: writer, critic, and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston, who was also a civil activist in her community; and civil rights hero and writer Lorraine Hansberry. Through their works and courageous spirit, both Hurston and Hansberry inspired Angelou to pursue her literary dreams and work for racial justice. Charismatic playwright and poet Amiri Baraka was another figure that heavily influenced Angelou’s words, works and philosophies.
In her personal life, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. profoundly inspired Maya Angelou. For Angelou, Reverend King was a great example of faith and strength in the face of adversity and unjust. Additionally, she drew strength from the writings of religious leader Hosea William, who she said, held the key to her faith. Angelou’s mother also served as an example and mentor, supporting her dreams and providing comfort, even in the darkest of times.
Angelou was also especially inspired by the various writers, poets, and activists that advocated for racial justice and civil rights. She drew strength and was deeply moved by the works of Bachaud, Shelton and Davis, literary figures and writers of their time. As a great admirer of the Harlem Renaissance, Magnolia was deeply inspired by the works of prominent African American authors and artists.
As previously mentioned, much of Maya Angelou’s works were strongly inspired by her life experiences as well as the lives and works of her influences. One such example is her autobiographical book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This meaningful work embodies her story of overcoming adversity, her ongoing search for civil liberties and justice, and her aspirations to become a prominent writer and literary figure. Without question, Maya Angelou’s work continues to touch the hearts of many and delivers an important message to the world.
Angelou’s Early Life and Influences
In 1935, Angelou was born as Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri to Bailey Johnson Sr. and Vivian Baxter Johnson. Both sides of her family ancestry were of Native American and African descent. Angelou’s parents later separated due to racial tensions, leaving Angelou and her brother, Bailey Jr. to be raised by their paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson, in Stamps, Arkansas.
Henderson ran the local store and was wonderfully supportive of her grandchildren. Henderson instilled in Angelou a strong sense of faith, respect for education and knowledge, and a passion for literature. Angelou attended Missionary Baptist churches, which provided a spiritual foundation for her later writings. This strong sense of morality and justice framed her future works and goals in life.
Following the passing of her grandmother in 1941, Angelou and her brother returned to their mother and lived in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. At this stage, Angelou’s love for the arts flourished and her playful imagination soared. May’s mother introduced her to the power of books, music, poems, and plays; an early source of her journey into wide-ranging and meaningful stories.
In 1948, Angelou was sent to live with her father and his wife in San Francisco, and this period of her life deeply inspired her writing and outlook. Angelou attended school in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Watts area of Los Angeles, gaining exposure to a great number of communities and belief systems.She attended New York’s George Washington High School and graduated in 1952.
Angelou’s Inspiration by Activism
At the age of sixteen, Maya joined a sailor and her brother, Bailey, enlisted in the US Air Force. While living in Europe, Angelou became increasingly aware of the destructive issue of racism and made lifelong friendships with fellow African Americans, broadening her views on the world. Upon returning to San Francisco, Angelou was immersed in the civil rights movement and experienced unprecedented levels of acceptance and freedom.
She met her lifelong friend and mentor Malcolm X around this time, and participated in the Freedom Riders protest – a campaign carried out to fight against racial segregation in the US. Angelou’s admiration for Mansasand for the bravery of those around her, sparked her own quest for civil rights and justice.Her ongoing fight against injustice and racism became particularly focused, as did her passion for writing. Her works spoke of freedom and the peace found in aligning with the universal laws of morality.
At the request of Reverend King, Angelou stood against the oppression of African Americans, advocating for civil and educational rights. She joined the Selma March to Montgomery in 1965 and was later named the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Angelou marched and spoke across the country, under the direction of Reverend King, until his death in 1968.
In the face of adversity and the death of the Reverend King, Angelou took a break from social justice movements and moved to Cairo, Egypt. During her time in Cairo, Angelou experienced a remarkable spiritual awakening and her works highlighted the joys of liberation and connection to a higher source.
Angelou’s Legacy and Influence
Maya Angelou’s works, writings, and speeches have inspired many and evoke a deep sense of understanding and justice when it comes to civil rights and liberation from oppression. Her message of sharing our histories and stories, and of celebrating our unique marks of heroism, is one that continues to touch the hearts of many.
The Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, the Maya Angelou National Monument, the Maya Angelou Academy, and numerous universities and colleges have centers for research built in her honor. She has also been recognized for her contribution to poetry, including an induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Medal of Arts in 2000.
In addition, Maya Angelou has been credited with producing some of the most meaningful African-American literature in modern history. Her works are regularly studied at universities, and her name is synonymous with human rights, social justice, racial healing, and the importance of the human narrative.
Angelou’s Works
Notably, Angelou wrote seven autobiographies, five books of essays, several books of poetry, and several plays. Most notably, Angelou wrote the poem “On the Pulse of Morning” which she delivered at President Bill Clinton’s 1993 inaugural ceremony. Angelou also appeared in films, lectured at colleges and universities, sang, and acted in theater.
Most of Maya Angelou’s works reflect her journey with courage and resilience, in the face of negative stereotypes and injustice; and her works are often laced with faith and spirituality. Regardless of the setbacks faced, Angelou remained committed to making a difference and inspiring her readers with her strength and optimism.
Many of Maya Angelou’s works paid tribute to her beloved mentors and idols, who provided her with the necessary courage and inspiration to pursue her dreams, and to continue in the face of difficulties. Her words have and continue to captivate the hearts of many; and her deeper message is one of faith, strength, justice, and courage.
Angelou’s Powerful Message
As a giant of the African-American literary canon, Maya Angelou’s works have been incredibly powerful and impactful to social justice movements; her words and message continue to inspire millions around the world.
Angelou’s powerful words have moved many to overcome every challenge and hardship they have faced, and continue to deliver a timeless message to countless generations. Her works have profoundly impacted people of all ages, and continue to do so even after her passing in 2014.
Her insightful and inspiring works, and honorable civi activism for an environment of justice and peace, continue to be celebrated by many. Angelou’s timeless message of courage in the face of racism, discrimination, and oppression; and its power to inspire, remains unwavering to this day.
