Maya Angelou: Encouraging Love in the Face of Hatred

It is with great respect and admiration, I take this moment to honor one of this century’s greatest peacemakers – Maya Angelou. Artist, Author, Poet, Activist, Speaker, Lover – she was a woman whose very life was her message.

Maya Angelou was born in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. She had a difficult childhood, as she and her brother bounced between their dad in St. Louis and mom in Stamps, Arkansas. While in Stamps, she experienced poverty and racism. Even more traumatizing was that she was raped at the age of eight by her mother’s boyfriend. Maya confessed what had happened to her brother who then told the rest of the family. Her perpetrator was consequently beaten to death a few days after being released from jail. Shell-shocked by this occurrence, Maya didn’t talk for almost five years, as she perceived that her words led to the eventual death of the man who had raped her. A child like this would be justified in allowing hatred and scorn to fill her heart. Maya Angelou did the exact opposite.

She used her writing and speaking abilities to promote healing and transformation in the face of hatred. In 1970, she published her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. It was a memoir of her childhood and how she went through a period of healing after all that she had suffered. This introspective piece of literature propelled her into fame. It became an inspiration and a beacon of hope for black women, especially during the Civil Rights era as she gave a powerful and respected voice to black women in the United States. Maya Angelou worked alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X during the Civil Rights movement. Her messages of love and peace were respected by everyone.

Maya Angelou traveled the world, lived among different cultures, and always encouraged love – her overriding philosophy in all that she did. Ultimately, Maya Angelou made people feel comfortable in their own skin. One of my favorite quotes of hers is “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” This portrays this dignified sense of self perfectly. She resolved conflict and achieved peace through respect, understanding, and a general love of humanity. Her writings, actions and spoken word inspired and motivated people all over the world to better accept themselves and others.

Even though she has recently passed, we all must continue Maya Angelou’s legacy by continuing to seek peace through love, understanding, and respect.

By Guest Author, Joe Koenig