INEWORD P

painful moment when she realizes that the illogical prejudice and hate she receives from society as a little Black girl will continue for many years to come, potentially becoming harsher by the day. She emphasizes the gravity of the situation by using a metaphor where she refers to her realization and perception of the fact that she is persecuted and not accepted by most of society–sometimes even in her own Black community–as the rust on the razor that is dangerously close to harming her, and is potentially a very painful truth. She addresses the fact that she feels like she does not belong, which is an issue that she would later have to deal with

Maya Angelou influences the struggle of women against the overlapping effects racism and sexism have by encouraging and empowering them, through her memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, to express, communicate, and confront the oppression and injustice they face everyday. Many of the wise words that Maya Angelou shares in her book are tough but inspiring lessons she has learned from those she admired most… Another one of the adult figures that Maya looks up to is her mother, and she describes her character when she states that “she was Vivian Baxter Johnson. Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst and unsurprised by anything in between” (Angelou 308). Maya emphasizes how her mother is strong, brave, capable, and unfazed by anything that was thrown in her way. She is realistic but optimistic. She does not wishfully thing, but rather confidently aims high with potential. She is living proof that neither her gender nor her race can prevent her from accomplishing great things in her life. Through the thorough illustration of her mother, Maya Angelou influences other Black women to overcome the struggles they are born into, and use that strength to achieve their dreams, pursue their passion, and become the people they aspire to be, no matter what society says. Further proof of this is that on June 5th, 2004, Michelle Obama commemorated Maya Angelou, and made reference to her memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The former first lady honored Angelou when she stated that “she celebrated Black women’s beauty like no one ever had before” (Jenkins 2014). However, that is partially an understatement. Maya Angelou did not only inspire Black women to celebrate each other’ s beauty, she pushed them to embrace it. She pushed them to embrace the years of pain that built up, the years of suffering, the years of dreams and hopes gone to waste. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou illustrates the whole fight for their lives that women, Black women especially, have to go through. She talks about the failures and successes that she faces, hence that other Black women face. In the end, she influences those struggling people by proving, through her intricate and colorful memoir, that every single step is worth the freedom and strength that is piece by piece gained back.

Maya Angelou was inspired to write her memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by the historical context she grew up in, which then became a significant influence on the struggle against racial and gender discrimination of Black women in the US during the 1960’s and beyond. Because of this, she will forever be a voice in little girls’ and grown women ’s heads, encouraging them to never stay silent–to always keep fighting.