And Still I Rise

In addition to her well-known autobiographies, Maya Angelou has steadily written poetry over the years. In this video Professor Angelou recites her poem, "And Still I Rise," from her volume of poetry And Still I Rise, published in 1978.

[@mommak10]

I love how she laughs after she says "does my sassiness upset you?" I love this woman :)

[@UfoThiccy]

YASSSSSSS XD

[@maryjanesauceda6818]

SHE IS SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!

[@jimjimjimmy7793]

Love that part

[@sugarplum1978]

The best!!!

[@alishamyersakacarr6320]

The first time I was diagnosed with cervical cancer I recited this poem over and over. Through chemo and radiation I swear it got me through. I was told I was in remission 1 year later. Unfortunently it came back but this poem reminds me that no matter what I'll rise. So I have it tattooed across my chest. 💗 Thank you Maya

[@emraldeyz1]

Go. Rise!

[@janethockey9070]

ALISHA CARR Go kick ass

[@addiction8534]

ALISHA CARR praying for your strength and healing

[@melissaa.s.5205]

Praying for you Alisha! May our Lord Jehovah Rapha heal your body and soul in the name of Jesus. Sending you all my love!

[@sarapaul9201]

you still will rise

[@tionak]

Her delivery of this was EVERYTHING!!! This is the difference between "reading" and "feeling". Thank you Maya

[@eliirrii]

If you whant to see maore of this difference, look at shane koyczan's poem, "to this day" on youtube

[@pjsmellie6958]

WhatsApp

[@Diana-qr5od]

Teaira Spencer YES YES YES!

[@power2thepoetry]

Teaira Spencer Follow Power2thepoetry on fb, insta, and twitter

[@tonihodgessteward921]

Beautiful.🙏❤

[@mazouzamelou6131]

You can shoot me with your words...You can cut me with your lies...You can kill me with your hatefulness ...But just like life I'll rise.......AMAZING

[@rachelmacdonald9195]

Yeah, Just Like LIFE!!!!

[@maryannzervos1581]

Her words and delivery bring tears to my soul and eyes. She inspired me to write poetry since I was a teenager so many years ago. I'm not a person of color. But she touches my soul.

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@Ambienfinity]

This is one of those special poems that stays with you your whole life, once heard. Absolute genius.

[@steddyliife9495]

Nodge X Hey! when u get a chance if u cud check out my poetry and music page that would be awesome:) and if u wud gime some criticism and feed back that wud be awesome 😎😎

[@maryjanesauceda6818]

AGREE!!!!!!!

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@co0ki3M0NstAr]

Yes whenever I'm feeling my lowest I say this to myself

[@doshinall]

Chills. "I am the hope and the dream of the slave..." How many of our ancestors had the audacity to dream of a better life for their offspring?

[@nerthus4685]

I could feel the slaves speaking through her. She really conveyed their hopes and dreams. The voices of persons silent in death as they were in life.

[@niax5618]

Donna Shinall yess

[@jaywolf4183]

She sounds like she's sitting on the toilet seat but because she's so fat she can't get up, so she's hoping one day she would rise. "I rise".

[@bdub1590]

Jay Wolf it is fascinating when someone can display their lack of intelligence, humanity, and decency in one simple comment. It must be hard for one to travel through life knowing they have embraced the most base form of themselves and feeling threatened by every bit of inspiration and aspiration around them. At a certain point a person can become nothing more than an organism that eats and produces shit. How sad for you. And yet the same capacity shown by the greatest of people resides within the lowest. Life is a series of choices and perhaps someday you will make a good one.

[@jaywolf4183]

@@bdub1590 , lol what d fak r u talking about? do i have to always anything blacks say? well that's fascism. I hate her and that's my freedom yo hate anyone i want.

[@twilawuilson5931]

i wrote a paper on her in college. I had to recite the report and i chose this poem. Im Native American and i always felt in this poem she was talking to all people of color. I am the hope and the dream of the slave,..BTW i received an A plus. Thx maya,

[@rachelmacdonald9195]

Excellent

[@maryjanesauceda6818]

BEAUTIFUL JUST LIFTED MY SPIRIT THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@realbeautyness25]

I hear ya sis my fraternal grandma was from Georgia my maternal Grandma from Maryland they both were children of slaves but have native ancestry Im trying to get TRIBAL BENEFITS HELP A SISTA OUT WILL YA CUZ WE NEVER RECEIVED REPARATIONS FOR SLAVERY

[@ciaran6309]

Talking to all people who have suffered.

[@realbeautyness25]

@@ciaran6309 NO BLACK WOMEN IN PARTICULAR SLAVE DESCENDANT BLACK WOMEN DIRECTLY WHEN JEWISH PEOPLE MAKE ART ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST IS THAT ALL WHO SUFFERED WHEN NATIVES MAKE ART ABOUT BEING MURDERED BY WHITE SETTLERS IS THAT FOR ALL WHO HAVE SUFFERED LET ME ASK YOU WHERE IS REPARATIONS FOR BLACK FOLKS DESCENDANTS OF UNITED STATES SLAVERY THE OTHER 2 GROUPS I MENTIONED GET REPARATIONS

[@melissarivest9357]

just gonna listen to this on repeat for a while until i feel better

[@alinasings]

You will pull through Melissa. You will rise

[@reginasmith9014]

Melissa Rivest I hope you’re fine today in 2019!

[@melissarivera7477]

Melissa Rivest I’m with you 🖤✊🏻

[@maryjanesauceda6818]

YES EXACTLY GOOD FOR YOU

[@maryjanesauceda6818]

@@reginasmith9014 PRAYING IN 2020 SHES FINE TODAY AS WELL

[@prestantiousunicorns750]

Rest in peace, Maya Angelou. Your efforts were not in vain.

[@PanamaAvianAir]

This is just beautiful, what a freaking woman she was!!

[@RobinMarkowitzcoolmedia]

Ana-Maria Lazar A phenomenal woman.

[@power2thepoetry]

Ana-Maria Lazar Follow Power2thepoetry on fb, insta, and twitter

[@deandrajohnson-barrett1364]

Ana-Maria Lazar totally got that too ... Lol

[@valentabedford8206]

"I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise." - When I really take in this line, I feel powerful beyond measure. I am powerful beyond measure :)

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@carbontwelve5256]

Yes Ma’am As You Should🔥 💪🏾🔥

[@k.6072]

🌟This should be extremely uplifting for black women that have not caught on or do not understand how beautiful and amazing we are. We were created by perfection, then abused, but still we rose. Whether you're a wife, mother, girlfriend, sister or daughter working or not working believe that you're amazing and doing more than the slave women would dream and imagine. We really are now living their hopes. Be grateful for this moment. Be grateful for your hair, complexion (a protection), & body, and your sanity. Smile😊...because still we rise..🌅 👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊

[@fishershauna]

Kerline C. we all bleed red blood .....it is for all of us :)

[@JoyJoy-oc7su]

Kerline C. THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL THANK YOU!!!

[@miki28miss]

TRUTH!!!

[@1710justine]

it may be inspiring for everyone but this is from a black woman's perspective so it relates to black women more than others :)

[@lullkhail4513]

Kerline Kay beautifully said thank you.

[@r.j.9873]

I love and miss her.

[@cmcgeeteacher2358]

Me, too.

[@shwetamarathe5629]

me tooo

[@shwetamarathe5629]

me tooo

[@ashleyneal6623]

I rise

[@power2thepoetry]

Ryan Jackson Follow Power2thepoetry on fb, insta, and twitter

[@MjF809]

When she speaks " I am the hope and the dream of the slave".... I get chills every single time.

[@JudeWiesner]

This may have been written almost 40 years ago but today we need it listen.

[@burritolover5082]

Been a junkie off opiates 5 years. Lost everything. Everyone looks at me like a bum. I got sober 2 weeks ago, still don’t got a dime in my pocket. Just paying past bills. This poem helps me through my rough nights where I feel helpless…

[@Paula-nt2uc]

Another thing dr Angelou, said was that one person is NOT more human than another!!!!❤

[@Sweetfitglam]

There she goes rising. Amen sister

[@MatrixMaster777]

Amen^^

[@rachelmacdonald9195]

Amen!

[@UfoThiccy]

AMEN POOH

[@dancar4906]

When you are aware of your history as an African American, this poem brings the beauty of our strength and confidence to life.

[@quidlatangelivy968]

Still I Rise BY MAYA ANGELOU You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries? Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard ’Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin’ in my own backyard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.

[@islandflavor1566]

2020 during Corona? Everytime I hit rock bottom I come back here just so I can get the courage to rise up and remember everything am now feeling will not last forever 👏 Keep safe everyone ❤ Rest in peace George floyd 😥💯✊🏾

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@gregmorelli4825]

Most of us get through life. Maya Angelou lived-up to her words. "Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise that I dance like I've got diamonds at the meeting of my thighs." Eternally Sexy. Thank You, Maya.

[@winonahdemars8861]

@Greg Morelli, "eternally sexy", love it😁👍

[@louiewest741]

The best poem in my lifetime!. Dr. Angelou, is the best of the best!

[@tylerriley4403]

She is in fact the reason I am still alive. 😔😳. I'll miss her so so much. There will NEVER be another.

[@maryetuk7628]

Whenever I need a mommie... I watch Dr. Maya Angelou videos. I imagine her embrace and am fulfilled, emboldened and given hope by her words and her spirit.

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@josephmoullay8857]

Maya angelou was easily one of the most beautiful people on this whole earth...one of the few seekers of truth who managed to repel the darkness we are shrouded in...

[@Sentientmatter8]

It's interesting that you spoke of repelling darkness... I read only the first line you wrote and my immediate thought was yes, She was a great flame. She burned bright.

[@keepingitrealwithconnie431]

Yes my brother!

[@sunnydalesdoomed]

I wish this lady was my mum

[@dougmccoy2650]

when I was younger, I met Maya, she was a great woman

[@dougmcdonald6771]

+Doug McCoy i seen her at a music concert

[@NikkiBikki]

Even a distant auntie would do me!

[@manmohanseepana8819]

Be the kind of mother to your kids ☺️☺️

[@cmebans35]

♥️

[@jordanlynn2526]

My mother read this to me, and my sister before she died. I miss her so much, and this is so amazing to hear right now

[@kimberlybracy6863]

This poem sums up my entire 2020.

[@keepingitrealwithconnie431]

Keep rising my sister!

[@lalouloune6156]

Same here and it's not over yet. Let's keep hope and faith.

[@kimberlybracy6863]

@@lalouloune6156 thank you for the encouragement.

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like inspirational poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show" See Show#8 for the poem "Don't Give Up"

[@lovingmyself8362]

She was my idol, til the end. And still I hear her voice and all I can do is smile. She has risen to the man up above, received her wings as she still shows her love. Show them, show them how to rise and stand talk Be proud of who you are You are a Legend A blessing An idol And I thank you Thank you for being you

[@Liberty969]

Loving myself83 Words that inspire and guide are the hidden treasures my soul seeks to help fuel hope and faith back into my heart......and for you I rise.

[@lovingmyself8362]

Thank you so very much Melissa Cruz. Dr. Maya Angelou inspired me to become a writer. To be proud of my work and love what I do.

[@susanocampo8938]

Soy colombiana y este poema tiene un espacio especial en mi corazón. Me hace inmensamente feliz saber que la poesía de Maya va más allá de los límites de las naciones y de las culturas y que tiene ese poder encantador de sanar.

[@ToniDavis-Halfhill]

The caged bird is now free and flying....raised up to the heavens with spirit! Mahalo you made a difference! You left this place in better condition than when you first arrived. Love & Peace be with you!

[@cristinairizarrysantiago4235]

I have watched this SO many times over the last 5 years. Never gets old. Always beautiful.

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@elenygebru7974]

RIP dear Maya Angelou may god bless your soul.

[@crazycow739]

Eleny Gebru god is fake, he won’t bless anyone

[@Tracey8806]

R.I.P

[@michaelsahyoun4581]

@@crazycow739 shut up bitch

[@sf.9731]

I thank her all the way to heaven for this poem...

[@chloetetts]

There are no words to explain how I feel about Professor Angelou and her intelligence. She has inspired generations of people including me to stand up for what I believe in and my race.

[@ronamcintyre9795]

I saw Maya Angelou do this on TV when I was a young teen... 30 years ago maybe.. I was dumbstruck. I never knew the power of words... the power of poetry until I saw her bring them to life. She has been a lifelong inspiration. RIP Maya Angelou. Your voice will be missed. Phenomenal woman. That's you!

[@olmargonzalesbueno7425]

Porno

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@Sankines]

I had to come see this again after Nicki's performance. She did Miz Angelou proud! :) Keep resting peace in peace, ma'am.

[@alanmachina3326]

Amazing spirit, this woman. I was blessed with her presence, unexpectedly, once. She left me with her lipstick, and a book of her own to cherish. I still hold it close to day. Beautiful woman.

[@goldenari295]

Such a rich soul ❤️✨ Timeless. & This poem makes me rich as well.

[@victoriavixen]

This my favourite poem.

[@xx-mu9se]

Literally doing a dance to this song

[@bigz-money8391]

+Panic!AtTheChloe my girlfriend's friend did this song at a dance comp

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@renaealbright85]

Such a beautifully articulate, and passionate spirit will live on in her words of wisdom. She will inspire, enlighten, and enrich the lives of many others yet to come. 💜

[@evolution731]

Needed this today after the 2016 Election. Thank you Maya for always showing us love and the human spirit is more powerful than we can imagine.

[@MrMacLover10]

I gained such encouragement listening to this throughout the day to ease the despondency. Thanks, Dr. Angelou!

[@zoehaywood92]

mbgagaaddict This Woman. Maya Angelou helps me stay grounded

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@donnadaisy333]

I am crying. This woman - this INCREDIBLE woman…. How i wish I met her, knew her, learned of her years ago. She is such an awesome inspiration. Thank you, Maya. Thank You, Lord, for bringing such a gift to us. ❤️🙏

[@yuppness6793]

I came here to show my daughter a very strong and powerful woman... No matter the color of anyone's skin... thank you for show ppl how great they can be

[@ilsesprenger4594]

Thank You Maya Angelou for this beautiful poem, it touches the depth of my soul. Every woman on this planet, nevermind color or creed, old or young, rich or poor, should recite it and Live It! We are so very powerful, we uphold creation but so many of us are not even aware of it. Living this Poem can make the world a better place!

[@jessicacottrell1897]

I had someone in my life that would always just beat me down . This poem by Maya has always given me strength and hearing her read it aloud fills me up. Even after I escaped that person I sometimes have some low days. But reading this poem always reminded me that still I will rise

[@mamadetresmocosos1330]

To think this lady didnt speak for years.....a voice I dont have words beautiful enough to describe with words that send chills down my spine ❤

[@voicegirl555]

Happy Happy 92nd Birthday Maya Angelou! I wish you were still here. I love all your books. Your words still give wisdom and hope years after you wrote them, and they will continue to do so centuries from now.

[@donnarogers7732]

"I Rise" is for every human Spirit on this planet at this moment Every Color,Gender,Religion, Every Orientation, Every Financial Situation ,cannot be spared our Collective Pain and Shared Suffering, and still I, You, They, We all RISE! BLESSED BE OUR PLIGHT ON EARTH AT THIS, A MOMENT MEANT TO BE TESTED TO RISE! Thank you Dr.Angelou

[@tacobellamama]

I have read this a million times but the true power of this just hit me 😭

[@lalynya]

Your words while im going thru a tough time remind me there is hope...not that i think you will ever see this but thank you ms. Angelou

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@MJaypie23]

Every now and then I have to come back and listen to this! Tears it brings to my eyes. Love to my heart.

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@sterlingavery2830]

this poem is deep if you know what she's really talking about. . . it's all about how you carry your self ..one of my fav..

[@sadiedaypasha4154]

I love the poetry of Maya, along with many other Black American Poets, long gone.

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like inspirational poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show" See Show#8 for the poem "Don't Give Up"

[@charlesmicheaux4121]

We live in a broken world but then God sends us human beings like Maya Angelou to heal and make our world more whole and grace filled.

[@mroosie7488]

462 people disliked this. What can I say...you’ve no culture, no feeling. You still have time yet to rise...

[@maritzasalinas9285]

I found this jewel of poem while I was doing my research for an English assignment. Still, after 7 years, it still resonates in my mind, thank you so much Maya ✨

[@deejayee]

Everytime I feel lost worried or less of a person I turn to everything Maya Angelou. She was an angel send straight down from heaven by God to spread parts of his Gospel loudly for everyone to use for healing

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@sparx550]

The Joy is that this beautiful woman was here, with us. Now that's truly wonderful.

[@josephmoullay8857]

people should open their day every day with this video...she gives me so much hope and inspiration...and Im a terribly depressed person...

[@fry5544]

💛 Thank you, Maya. I’ll continue to rise up over everything that holds me down. 💛

[@xoel888]

I wrote a essay using this comment thanks bud

[@Shaolin-Jesus]

sensational women. she must have been a great grandma.

[@g4ugaming404]

Her grandchildren were lucky

[@RuthFanshaw]

It always gives me goosebumps when she says "I am the hope and the dream of the slave." Because she is.

[@kyliejohnston16]

Best poem ever. Speaks to me on so many levels.

[@BB-qk8on]

Listening to her recite this makes me cry!!! Favorite poem

[@mdebailes-OK]

A beautiful poem - Beautifully, beautifully read..............

[@judithlandau7608]

welcome inspiration for these troubled times!

[@kdever829]

Needed some wisdom from Maya today.

[@ca7117]

This is Everything and then some!!!!!👍🏽❤️❤️❤️. God gave Maya Angelou. Just Wow!

[@teresamolloy2426]

This lady is pure genius! Her words are shatteringly powerful! Her compassion, creativity and inspirational words are what our world needs too hear and learn from. We all so need to rise from the bitter twisted lies of history and become better, greater, more loving compassionate people!

[@defygravity06]

Needed this today. I rise...

[@mariahamilton8333]

I needed this sooooo badly yesterday!

[@melaniepritchardsuccesscoa7833]

Phenomenal Woman. Her ability to move people and tap into the human spirit is remarkable. Much missed but always here.

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@LEEIB]

And we'll still rise!!! Ibae Madam Maya Angelou!! Thanks for sharing your wisdom, your legacy will live on.. R.I.P.

[@gillettepascalfamily]

How could you not love her and her poetry, rises to a universal truth, EXQUISITELY!!!

[@sammichaels10]

There's invincible beauty in Maya's words. My teacher in school introduced me to her spoke of her work with such passion. Inspiring. Inspiring my work and poetry. There's a lesson for us all in Maya's words.

[@lalouloune6156]

Beautiful words, "invincible beauty", it's completely that. Still we rise through all the bitterness, hatred and persecution.

[@themilkofgrind5663]

We need more of her in 2020 and 2021

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@calvintucker7286]

One of my #1 top POET and PERSON...MY HERO

[@nancyxtay]

Gorgeous ❤️ Powerful

[@pahlalikhona7617]

revaluation

[@m.k.h.2718]

She brings so much life and vibrance into her poetry readings. It's surreal listening to her

[@ayeshas6115]

Maya, there is no one like you. Never was! What a beautiful, intelligent soul. Your smile and your words healed so many, touched so many. I get chills every time I listen to this. Stay with us. You are not gone. You cannot be.

[@nardinesandersonauthorpoet4249]

your visit will always be remembered ❤ never a more true angel, love you forevermore.

[@sara-yy3hn]

I remember learning this in school at 14 till this day it's amazing! Everyone goes through tough times

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@earthtoalice]

I literally just spontaneously applauded - clapping my hands like a nut in my solitary living room. God I love you Maya Angelou :) xoxoxoxox

[@julianajoseph7061]

This special poem, one of them has been so significant in my life and continue to be. Thank you mama Maya RIP.

[@bethanhood7153]

She is my hero, and so inspirational. I haven't had a hero before.

[@constanceschroer2668]

Her expressions aligned with her inflections make drama and art🌹

[@moonlightproductions1828]

Can we just appreciate what an incredible and inspiring person she was

[@josephmoullay8857]

I would also like to point out (at the risk of jinxing it) that Maya angelou, struggle and pain, is so universal that not one idiot remark was made on this thread...good job guys seriously...keep some things sacred...I all for making light of the heavy but you've got to stand for at least one thing in this world. Doesn't matter what...you choose...but when you do, hold it dear...

[@colinellesmere]

Wow. Goose bumps. I have never heard this poem. Poetry like this is the real rock n roll.

[@bellejones8565]

Love it! This poem always pulls me in the right direction when the enemy tries to distract me.

[@DixieLaRouge]

Such a powerful woman! Love Her!

[@ThePreciousWonPoetryShow]

If you like good poetry you will also like the poet, Precious Won. You can view the channel at: "The Precious Won Poetry Show"

[@TysWorld]

When ever i feel beatin down i like to hear this!

[@OkamiHausofDreams]

RIP Maya, you were truly an inspiration.

[@mariahamilton8333]

I concur as a rising poet

[@glowangel]

@@mariahamilton8333 2022 called, and you do you know what it said?? ::WE SHALL RISE::

[@sherryweeks5956]

I'm not black, but I love her and have followed her from the 70's....I loved this great lady!❤❤❤

[@sandman6040]

Grandma Angelou, I miss you dearly. Thank you for inspiring me, I love you so much that my vocabulary will never be able to express it.

[@BessMcCarty]

Will we let life get us down? Or will we remember that we too Rise? Thank you Eric and Maya. I know you see us.

[@roadsideturnout9287]

This can speak to all. We may have a Different struggle We can all make the same fight! We all still rise!

[@uzziahplays1159]

"Don’t you take it awful hard ‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines Diggin’ in my own backyard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise." Now, this woman obviously was a powerful woman who had experienced a great amount of honor, but also a great amount of criticism and contempt from people who were likely prideful and believed she should be treated poorly based on how she looked. I like that part of the poem that I quoted because she was rebutting and emphasizing the fact that it was not the fact that she was truly arrogant (even though she used the word haughtiness) that bothered people. It was the fact that she still spoke with confidence and laughed and enjoyed herself in front of those who spoke badly about her because they wanted to see her with a bowed head and broken down. She pointed out the fact that they kept attacking her anyways because they hated to see her laugh and be happy. This woman is was not pompous at all. She was graceful and embraced everyone with respect even after she became famous so she definitely was not a woman who was "proud" or really just a woman with a notion of superiority over anyone else. So it is evident that the people who were upset at her for still laughing and being happy when they tried to put her down were the people with pride and a notion of superiority. That's evidenced by someone who acts and speaks like, "if we say you are worthless, we want you to act like it by bowing your head and shutting your mouth". This is an inspiring woman because she encouraged those who deal with the reality that this is prevalent in society. When you don't look like what people think is worthy of respect, they will treat you as if the way that they perceive is how you should be treated. This was a strong woman. One who didn't evidence strength by relishing the praise that others gave her, but by still living and resisting the opposition she faced in the form of people wanting to see her fail and still hating her for just being happy whether she was successful or not. It wasn't about her lifestyle or her personality. She was saying that people hated her because they indeed wanted her to feel and bow her head to their thoughts about her being ugly. This is bravery. This is worth honor. This is why she was the famous Maya Angelou.

[@SusieQ156]

Maya was never ugly - she was quite attractive when she was younger - and even if she was perceived as by some ugly - her soul and spirit- and presence was beautiful- that was enough ! Look at her pictures when she was a young dancer - Maya was far from ugly !

[@vbrew3288]

Day started weird and difficult but hearing this and yes, I began to rise...love Maya so much 👊🏾🖤🙏🏾

[@wandalee5010]

I adored this woman and this poem touches every woman with a painful past, and a glorious future. ❤️