During that trying time, it made me feel as if I wasn’t alone, hope was definitely not lost, and the world wasn’t ending like I felt it was. I was going through a lot at that time, and it was deeply liberating for Ms. I remember when I was about sixteen or seventeen, something in my spirit led me to the book again. I was maybe eight, nine at most - didn’t really understand what she was saying, but read on anyway. She owned copies of her published works, and one day I happened to pull this book off of a shelf. My mother kept a mini-library in our home for as long as I can remember. “Anything that works against you can also work for you once you understand the Principle of Reverse.”Īmong other great stories and poems, this is my favorite book that Ms. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings | Book | Amal, Operations Assistant I simply cannot thank her enough for her inspiring work. This particular Angelou quote has been especially helpful during these stressful times we live in. You can choose to persevere through difficult times-that’s something you have direct control over. It’s probably one of the hardest things I have personally had to learn but there’s a power in knowing that while you can’t control what happens, you can control how they affect you. You need to learn that you just cannot control everything that goes on around you. It’s a line I try to live by every day in order to have a more peace-filled life. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” | Quote | Nicole Rojas, Senior ReporterĪs someone who lives with constant anxiety, this quote from the great Maya Angelou really speaks to me. We’re living in really strange times right now and everytime I read or think of this poem, it gives me a little bit of hope. The poem is about not being afraid to look back at darker times and to continue to push toward a future with hope. You may have the grace to look up and out And while I have my personal feelings about Bill Clinton, this poem still moves me and makes me more hopeful of better days to come. Maya Angelou famously read this poem during Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993. I first read this poem back in high school, but it didn’t really resonate with me until after I read it again in 2016 while I was a student reporter in graduate school. On the Pulse of the Morning | Poem | Maria Perez, Associate Editor We explain, in our own words, what her work means to us and how it impacts us today. The North Star staff picked their favorite Maya Angelou books, quotes and poems to honor the famous poet and her work on her birthday. Not only was she an award-winning poet and author, but she was also a songwriter, playwright, director, singer, historian and civil rights activist.
įamous poet Maya Angelou would have been 92 years old on April 4.Īngelou was born Marguerite Johnson in St. If you are able to support, we invite you to do so here. We rely on these funds to pay our staff to continue to provide high-quality content. This is only possible because of the generous support of our members. The North Star has dropped its paywall during this COVID-19 crisis so that pertinent information and analysis is available to everyone during this time.