LITR 4332 American Minority Literature UHCL poetry presentation

LITR 4332 American Minority Literature
Poetry Presentation 2008

Tuesday, 23 September: Poetry: Maya Angelou, "Still I Rise"

Reader: Christina Holmes

Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. A renowned poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou travels the world spreading her legendary wisdom.

Her numerous awards and honors include the Alston/Jones International Civil & Human Rights Award in 1998; and the Writer's Digest Award in 1999, which named her one of the Top 100 Best Writers of the 20th Century, and the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000. More than 30 of the nation's educational institutions have bestowed honorary degrees upon her.

She is definitely a woman who inspires!

http://www.visionaryproject.org/angeloumaya/

OBJECTIVES

5a. African American alternative narrative: “The Dream”

"The Dream" resembles but is not identical to "The American Dream."
Whereas the American Dream emphasizes immediate individual success, "the Dream" factors in setbacks, the need to rise again, and group dignity

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How does this poem resemble the “The American Dream and where does it differ?”

2. What parts of this poem do you see setbacks that have kept the Minority continually having to rise above their circumstance and maintain their need for group dignity?

3. In observing the figurative language, which parts of the poem seem to convey a dual meaning?

4. Do you think this poem can be applicable to anyone in life or only African Americans?

“Still I Rise”

by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise

I rise

I rise.

Resembles-Persistence in continuing to rise above the circumstances they have been placed in or judged on (highlighted in gray) this reminds me of the persistence of those who seek the American Dream ( Breadgivers, Soap and Water)

Differs-Unlike the immigrant narrative which encompasses encouragement for the immigrant to seek “The American Dream,” the minority narrative depicts stories of rejection ( highlighted green)and they are not welcomed/accepted into the Dominant Culture as the immigrants (In The American Society).

Setbacks in pink