Maya Angelou's Role In The Civil Rights Movement

Superior Essays
There were many great leaders during the Civil Rights Movement. Many of those leaders fought hard for what they believed in and sometimes the fates of those courageous people were not pleasant. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela fought the battle against discrimination peacefully; however, it resulted in great consequences for them both. Today, the world is familiar with some of the events that occurred during this time of struggle and devastation. It was never easy for the minorities and they constantly had to overcome their hardships in order to prosper. Although there were many famous male leaders, there was an abundance of female leaders as well. Women such as Rosa Parks and Ella Baker also played a role in the movement, …show more content…
Her words were wise lessons that could be applied to every human being’s life, and her voice spoke out for millions. Angelou spoke the truth when others could not. She had the strength that others did not possess. She was a phenomenal woman and people will remember that forever (“Commentary: Maya Angelou…” 1). Angelou stood up for what she believed in. Maya Angelou acted as a teacher through her writing which would correct many people’s lives, by telling them what they are truly capable of (Casey 2-3). She had many lessons to teach through her writing and the common theme was that all of the obstacles she had to face didn’t slow her down, but instead those challenging moments inspired her to keep moving which ultimately made her a better person (“Angelou’s Generational Impact” 1-2). Not only did she speak her mind when defending her nature, she stood up for women as well. She says, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” (Gray 1). Angelou had an impact on a multitude of people, but there are some that really took her words to heart and they reached some of the highest levels of success because of it. Oprah Winfrey, who was a close friend and mentored by Angelou, says that she was a teacher and one of the most important lessons she ever taught was, “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” (Angelou Was an…” 112). Maya Angelou is an example for not only women, but for everyone, and people should consider taking her advice, given throughout the contents of her writing, for it will ensure a brighter and more successful

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