The first section of the poem, Maya states "You write me down in history, with your bitter and twisted lies" (Angelou). She is stating that throughout the generations, lies after lies were written about her people. She also states "You may trod me in the dirt, But still, like the dirt, I rise" (Angelou). She is …show more content…
In translation she is asking "Were your intentions to hurt me?” She goes on to state "Bowed head and lowered eyes?" (Angelou). In translation, she is stating "Do you think I am just going to give up?”. In translation, she is stating that yielding was the last thing, on her mind. "Shoulders falling down like teardrops, weakened by my soulful cries?" (Angelou). In Translation, "Did you think that I would become hopeless and helpless?”. She is stating that she will keep her head up no matter what. The fifth section of the poem, "Does my haughtiness offend you?" (Angelou). In translation, she is asking "Are you mad that I didn’t give up?” "Don 't you take it awful hard, cause I laugh like I 've got gold mines diggin ' in my backyard" (Angelou). The oppressors did not like to see the colored expressing the phenomenal amount of joy, as they do. The oppressors also did not understand why the colored could still be joyous even after being …show more content…
The poem hints authenticity because despite the horrible history of discrimination, we still made progress; and did not give up. Maya 's intentions were to speak the truth and express the reality of those times. To me, authenticity means being real and genuine. I agree, with the concept of the poem because based on my knowledge about the past, everything Maya stated was a great way to express the feelings, and events that occurred. In my life, authenticity plays a big role, because I like to be known as a genuine and real