Maya Angelou spoke words, wrote words, sang words, danced words, taught words. Everything she did underscored the importance of words: words to express anger, joy, sorrow. Words to connect people to their history, their past and their present. Words of wisdom to young women; words of caution to an uncaring public;
words to live by to two Presidents of the United States of America. A list of her poems can be
found here.
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| Receiving The Medal of Freedom, 2011, from President Obama |
The importance of
Maya Angelou, the poet, reminds us of the
importance of poetry as an art form and a
political form in the Black community. The first known Black poet in America was
Lucy Terry Prince, born in 1732.There is a list of 46 poets
at this link: take some time to explore how the words of these thought leaders shaped views, values, and conversations. An article in
The New York Times May 27, 2014 reports on
The Dark Room Collective. Formed in the late 1980s, building on the legacy of "the Beats Generation, the New York School, the Fugitives, the
Black Arts Movement, even the
Harlem Renaissance", this group of dynamic young poets and artists realized the need and the importance of shared criticism, mentoring, and growth that can only be found in a group, not in isolation.
Maya Angelou was unique among artists: she excelled in a variety of media and was active in social and political change. She lived on the world's stage. She spoke truth to power. She showed no fear or fear of criticism. She appeared to not care what anyone thought of her manner of living. She was a lesson in a life lived well.
