Still I Rise

Maya Angelou

In the poem “Still I Rise,” by Maya Angelou, an important idea is rising above the negative attitude of others.

Maya Angelou is getting pushed down but rising above societies beliefs and opinions that she lives in.

 In the opening verse, Maya Angelou is speaking to the white community that surrounds her, she is telling them that she will not be pushed down by the racist comments that they make. She indicates that she will rise above all the hate and hurtful words that she and the black community are hearing all day, every day from the white community.

“You may write me down in history, With your bitter, twisted lies,” This shows her standing up for self but also her culture.  Maya Angelou portrays herself as a rich and high powered person.

The white community look upon her as a poor, worthless, uneducated burden on the community, yet she sees herself as rich in knowledge and an important member of the community.

“Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells, Pumping in my living room.” This shows that she has high self-respect and not going to let people put her down or tell her how she should act.

Historical links – grounding for this idea

 Throughout history, the African American community have suffered a lot of prejudice, racism and sexism from a white community who refuse to understand the black community. Throughout history, stories have been passed down about different people disliking the African Americans for what they are supposed to have done. This creates a strong dislike, fear and mistrust of people with different coloured skin. 

“Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset by gloom”

Maya Angelou asks the reader many rhetorical questions throughout the poem, she is showing that she doesn’t care about what the reader has to say because she has belief in herself and her own worth thanks to her ancestors. Her ancestors who have suffered to create a better life for her. Maya Angleou has confidence in herself to rise above what history has written down about her, making sure that she has a better life than those who were before her.

“Out of the huts of history’s shame

I rise 

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain

I rise”

“Rising above it all” is as relevant to today’s teenagers as it was when Maya Angelou first wrote this poem. Racism, sexism, bullying and not being given an equal chance have been pushed aside over time. Teenagers have gained a voice through new technology and social media, this has given them a platform to express their strong opposition to political leaders and are demanding to be heard. We are living in a time where white people are finally witnessing what black communities are experiencing at the hands of the police, seeing on the news white police officers assaulting black people who are fighting for their civil rights. The racism that teenagers experience today, is just as bad as it was when this poem was first written. The difference today is that they are working together to ensure that future generations don’t have to deal with the same problems.