In St. Louis, Missouri, an African-American girl named Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928. Maya would become one of the most famous authors, poets, and civil rights activists in the United States. Growing up, Maya faced various traumas, which led to ”I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, her memoir. Although she had a challenging childhood, Maya Angelou always looked on the bright side of everything, no matter the circumstances.
As it is Black History Month, Angelou is a great role model that we can appreciate because of her profound impact on society. In the 1930s, a nationwide event occurred, known as the Great Depression. During this time, the economy was penurious, which created fewer jobs and more social inequality. Although Maya Angelou was only a teenager at this time, she experienced America’s most impactful event, which influenced her writing career. As an African-American female, Maya Angelou struggled to fit in with society, so she began to write poems. One of her most prominent poems, ”Still I Rise”, captures the fortitude and resilience of the African-American community in times of adversity. Her encouraging message helped many people to this day as it serves as an empowering reminder.
Maya Angelou significantly affected Black History Month due to the positive and uplifting inspiration that sparked from her words. As we commemorate Black History Month, we cannot forget the everlasting legacy that Angelou left on our world. We need to ensure that we honor her contributions and her activism that guides our social equality. We can continue to spread her hopeful message for generations to come. Remember to strive for the impossible and be extraordinary. Go Knights!
