African-American Civil Rights Movement

Maya Angelou, an African American woman who grew up in the 1930s and 40s, first published her story in 1969 and later the autobiographical movie about her book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was released. Starring in the movie as Maya, Bailey Jr., and Momma were Constance Good, John Driver, and Esther Rolle. The book and movie both tell the story of Angelou’s hard childhood while growing up an African American girl in the South and overcoming adversity. Born Marguerite Johnson, Angelou and…

"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."- Malcolm X, January 7th, 1965 (Stowers). Malcolm X was the spokesman of the black Americans who were critical of their oppression by white society. His movement of black nationalism called for a change in the social structure and Malcolm X was not going to stop fighting for this progress until it occurred. A man with controversial ideas, such as his opposition to integration, Malcolm X constantly…

Have you ever been bullied or oppressed in any shape, form, or fashion? While the oppressor tried to keep you down, did you keep your head up and smile? That is what Maya Angelou writes about in her poem, “Still I Rise.” A motif that is evident in this poem, and many of her other poems, is identity. Maya Angelou conveys the motif of identity through her use of tone, repetition, and imagery. Tone plays a big role in the development of identity in the poem. In the beginning of the poem, the tone…

Oppression. Empowerment. Growth. Change. What do these four things have in common? While the poems “Still I Rise” and “Unwelcome” contain noticeable differences in style and tone, they share similarities in them and sound. In literature, writers tend to use tone to paint a picture of what their writing is about. Throughout Maya Angelou's poem “Still I Rise” she uses a writing style that helps achieve a tone of empowerment. Over the course of Angelou’s life she was belittled and a victim of…

Words can be very manipulative and persuasive, if used right, they can be used to get people to feel different emotions and make people do things. But also, they can be used to make people do things that they might not have ever done without hearing that speaker say what they said to them. Rhetorical and literary devices are included when people are trying to persuade and manipulate people to more effectively change peoples minds. In certain situations, this can lead to really bad endings and…

Civil Rights Activist, Rosa Parks once said, “People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. I was not tired physically... No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in” (Rosa Brainy). Rosa Parks’ involvement in civil disobedience was due to personal influences, she chose to participate in civil disobedience to protest bus segregation laws, and she did achieve success using this controversial method of standing up for what she strongly believes to…

poet, essayist, editor, and playwright. Maya has gone through many things in her lifetime. For example, sexual abuse and her parents divorce. Maya was born in St. Louis, MO, on April 4, 1928. Her birth name was Marguerite Johnson. Her family is African American. Maya’s dad was a doorman and her mother was a nurse. Marguerite was just little girl when her parents decided to get a divorce. Maya and her brother, Bailey Johnson Jr., to Stamps, Arkansas to live with their grandmother. Her…

Maya Angelou Prologue The origin of this story is to show case an intellectual woman. I feel honored to introduce a woman such as her. This woman has accomplished so many things that I cannot list them. This woman is so amazing I highly recommend everyone to read this biography about her. Marguerite Johnson or as some may call her Maya Angelou was a highly sophisticated woman. Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 1928, although she was raised in Stamps, Arkansas. As a…

front row seat of their exquisite humanity, with all its joy and sorrows. Harsh events occur with both women at the age of eight. Angelou was sexually abused and Walker lost sight in one eye. The description of each incident was a part of both African American life work. The women related their experiences in novels that were published. Maya Angelou told her story in her autobiography; I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, as a chapter…

Maya Angelou It all started April 4, 1928 a woman named Margueritte Ann Johnson was born. Since her birth in St. Louis,Mo spending time around the world she has made our modern years better ! Striving through hard times as she was known for. Inspiring as she went through such a hard childhood, the racism, but she still was successful and accomplished a lot of things. She was also strong and powerful because she didnt live a fun and happy childhood and her words was very powerful into what she…