STILL I RISE:
THE STORY OF
MAYA ANGELOU
BY
JEFF BIGGERS
Smashwords Edition
Copyright
2011
William Gladden Foundation
ISBN #1-56456-310-3
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE:
CAPITOL
CHAPTER TWO:
MOMMA
CHAPTER THREE:
ST. LOUIS
CHAPTER FOUR:
PREGNANT
CHAPTER FIVE:
DANCER
CHAPTER SIX:
CIVIL RIGHTS
CHAPTER SEVEN:
POET
VOCABULARY
REVIEW QUESTIONS
CHAPTER ONE:
CAPITOL
For the first time in 32 years, a poet had been invited to speak at the inauguration of the President of the United States. On this chilly, but sunny, January day in 1993, over 250,000 people, stretching all the way to Washington Monument in a patchwork of excited, hopeful and curious faces were gathered along the mall of the Capitol to catch a glimpse of the ceremony.
Maya Angelou walked to the podium. Behind her stood the giant dome of the United States Capitol, the meeting place of the members of Congress. To the west, foreign diplomats representing the countries from around the world filled the stands. For as far as she could see, thousands of people, bundled in heavy jackets and hats, waving flags and signs and banners, crowded the tree-lined fields and walkways.
There was a tingle of pride and hope in the crisp air. The huge crowd had come to Washington D.C., for a reason. As part of the inaugural celebrations and parties for the incoming president and members of Congress, Americans had traveled from across the country to take part in a great process of democracy and freedom. A new president had been elected. On this day, before the nation, President Bill Clinton was taking the oath of office.
Maya Angelou felt the passion of the people. As a poet, she wanted to capture their voices and feelings and express them in a poem. On behalf of the United States, this meant that she had to include the voices of all types of people. She wanted to speak about her country, and like the great patriots, note its strengths and weaknesses. Appearing before thousands of people, the poet wanted to celebrate and challenge the past of her country. She would also re-awaken people to the present problems, while speaking of the hope for the future.
“A rock, a river, a tree,” she began.
As an African-American writer, Maya Angelou spoke about a country full of old troubles and new beginnings. She spoke about people who had suffered, and others who had taken advantage of their situations. Then she spoke about a nation of people from all different races and religions and cultures working together to build their land.
For over five minutes, the poet held the attention of a nation. The crowd had silenced across the fields. The television caught her passion and strength. Her words sang on.
For the first time in years, a poet had captured the hearts and minds of a country as she spoke of “the pulse of the morning.” The people felt her words as if she were speaking to everyone personally, touching their own lives. She understood their hopes, problems and struggles. Her words were like pictures, shaped into a vision for her country.