Dr Maya Angelou: My Inspiration
Maya and Me!
I am tasked with talking about a black writer or artist who inspires and influences me and my creativity. Instantly I have a myriad of names whirling around in my head. How can I pick one? I am no less inspired by Toni Morrisson, the Nobel Laureate then I am by Malorie Blackman the British author of Noughts & Crosses. Could I pick Emma Dabiri and her painfully accurate analysis of Afro hair and ‘follicular’ racism, over Reni Eddo-Lodge and why she is no longer talking to white people about race? Although decades apart, I am sure W.E.B Dubois, James Baldwin, Benjamin Zephania and Akala would soon find common ground and undoubtedly their conversations would be lengthy. To be a fly on that wall! I am no more influenced by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and why we should all be feminists then I am by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, our very own hidden figure has had me gazing up at the stars on many a clear night. Cupcake Brown gave me a piece of cake that had me in floods of tears on my commute and almost unable to take another bite.
The name I have not mentioned thus far is Maya Angelou. Now obviously her name precedes her so I do not need to tell you facts about her. Every Black History Month she is more than likely to be at the very top of the list on most search engines. Deservedly so.
I'm sure there are millions of us who have at some point posted ‘Still I Rise’ or ‘Phenomenal Woman’. I definitely have. Admittedly upon reading the brief, she was the very first person that came to mind. I guess my reticence to name her first was fear of being somewhat cliche. I am also aware that only having a month to discuss the accomplishments of black people is a contentious issue. But here we are and I am unapologetic about my choice. I could quite easily find a poem or an excerpt from one of her books and that in itself would be enough to validate my choice. Whilst the names I mentioned above have and do inspire and influence me, Maya has been a constant source inspiration since the age of 16. I was given a copy of ‘I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings’ by a friend at college, with strict instructions to return it, once finished. Like so many others, she had won my heart. Her story compelled me to invest and the rewards were and are bountiful with each book I read. I was going to name my son- if i ever had one- Angelou and I even created a whole training programme for a previous job, aptly named ‘Know Better Do Better’.
Whilst many parts of her story were not unheard of, she was one of the first to share it in such a powerfully candid way. She had an audacity that I admired and bolstered a confidence in me to try anything and everything, within reason. Her resilience and ability to show forgiveness resonates. Trauma has a way of hardening people yet her softness was endearing. When she spoke people would listen. President’s request her attendance at their inaugurations, celebrities would seek counsel from her. The ultimate ‘influencer’, Maya Angelou is not just respected as a literary giant, she is respected as a human being. To be born into a world that hates you for the colour of your skin that was no mean feat.
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be the rainbow in someone's cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution. Never whine. Whining lets a brute know a victim is in the neighbourhood. Be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity. I gave birth to one child, a son, but I have thousands of daughters. You are Black and White, Jewish and Muslim, Asian, Spanish-speqking, nataive American and Aleut. You are fat and thin and pretty and plain, gay and straight, educated and unlettered, and I am speaking to you all. Here is my offering to you”.
- Maya Angelou, Letter To My Daughter
Dr Maya Angelou was a phenomenal woman and my inspiration.
Written by Natasha Pierre-Louis
My name is Natasha. I live in East London with my amazing 17-year-old daughter, who simultaneously manages to keep me young and age me. I work for Levi Strauss as the Training & Admin Manager. I am also the founder of WMNKIND™ a community for Women and Young Girls and co-host of the brand-new podcast "Punching the Wall". I have always written but have never considered myself as a writer. But maybe, just maybe my English teachers were right…