The definition of a cultural hero varies by each person who gives an opinion. There are no set guidelines for what a hero is or does. Oxford English Dictionary define a hero as someone who has “superhuman strength, courage, or ability, favoured by the gods.” To somebody, a hero could be the man who swept the nation off of their feet in the political election, and to somebody else, it could be their grandma who lives a plain life up in Kansas on a farm. In this case, a cultural hero is rooted in their beliefs, resembles hope, persists in the face of fear, and renews society in the name of common good. Maya Angelou measures up to these qualifications based on her heart for people, giving spirit, and unwavering mindset. Maya Angelou grew up
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Although this subject was still publicized and news worthy, Maya’s grandmother taught her to resent nobody for how her ancestors were treated. Maya states, “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave.” Her grandmother served whites and blacks alike in her self-owned grocery store and encouraged Maya to treat everyone with love and respect while exhibiting independence and courage (“Continuing the Life Work of Maya Angelou”). Maya’s life was the ultimate American background. She had firsthand experience with poverty, racism, single-parenting, over-coming poverty, pursuing higher education and ultimately attaining wealth. She lived out the common sough after “American Dream.” Dr. Angelou’s role as a cultural hero to so many is recognized because so many people identify with her. She was overwhelmingly honest in her bestselling …show more content…
Maya was undoubtedly a symbol of hope. Oprah Winfrey states, “She moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence and a fierce grace” (Minzesheimer). Although she dropped out of high school, she was awarded more than 30 honorary degrees from colleges in her lifetime. Maya was known as a walking encyclopedia and later became a professor at Wake Forest University. Her undisputable attitude of hope is defined when she quoted a spiritual near to her heart: “When it looked like it wouldn't stop raining, God put a rainbow in the clouds” (Minzesheimer). If this is not motivation to create a bright future, there is no other motivation that could do so. Maya participated in the Civil Rights Movement forming the Organization of African American Unity, alongside Malcom X. Martin Luther King, Jr. also was close friend to Maya. He asked her to be a coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. From 1961-1962, she took on the role of associate and feature editor, respectively, of The Arab Observer in Cairo, Egypt and the African Review in Accra, Ghana (Minzesheimer). These prominent roles allow her to positively influence humanity and renew
Although this subject was still publicized and news worthy, Maya’s grandmother taught her to resent nobody for how her ancestors were treated. Maya states, “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave.” Her grandmother served whites and blacks alike in her self-owned grocery store and encouraged Maya to treat everyone with love and respect while exhibiting independence and courage (“Continuing the Life Work of Maya Angelou”). Maya’s life was the ultimate American background. She had firsthand experience with poverty, racism, single-parenting, over-coming poverty, pursuing higher education and ultimately attaining wealth. She lived out the common sough after “American Dream.” Dr. Angelou’s role as a cultural hero to so many is recognized because so many people identify with her. She was overwhelmingly honest in her bestselling …show more content…
Maya was undoubtedly a symbol of hope. Oprah Winfrey states, “She moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence and a fierce grace” (Minzesheimer). Although she dropped out of high school, she was awarded more than 30 honorary degrees from colleges in her lifetime. Maya was known as a walking encyclopedia and later became a professor at Wake Forest University. Her undisputable attitude of hope is defined when she quoted a spiritual near to her heart: “When it looked like it wouldn't stop raining, God put a rainbow in the clouds” (Minzesheimer). If this is not motivation to create a bright future, there is no other motivation that could do so. Maya participated in the Civil Rights Movement forming the Organization of African American Unity, alongside Malcom X. Martin Luther King, Jr. also was close friend to Maya. He asked her to be a coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. From 1961-1962, she took on the role of associate and feature editor, respectively, of The Arab Observer in Cairo, Egypt and the African Review in Accra, Ghana (Minzesheimer). These prominent roles allow her to positively influence humanity and renew