Still I Rise, by Maya Angelou: A Message Of Resiliency, Strength, & Black Beauty

4 Posted by - February 20, 2021 - LATEST POSTS

“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou is one of her most famous poems, written in her third volume of poetry called And Still I Rise, published in 1978. The message is about the resiliency, strength, and beauty that black communities continue to show through hundreds of years of oppression and discrimination. In a time when racial tensions are at a high, Angelou’s poem is still just as relevant as it was in 1978, serving as a reminder to us all that through the collective pain and inequality, still we rise.

 

Still I Rise

 

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may tread 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.

16 Comments

  • how to download minecraft May 8, 2019 - 4:16 pm

    Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning
    this article and the rest of the website is very good.

  • minecraft free May 9, 2019 - 9:40 pm

    It’s very effortless to find out any topic on net as compared to books,
    as I found this article at this site.

  • g May 11, 2019 - 10:35 am

    My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I should check things
    out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
    Look forward to checking out your web page repeatedly.

  • minecraft download free pc May 12, 2019 - 12:44 pm

    Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and the
    rest of the website is also really good.

  • how to get help in windows 10 May 23, 2019 - 9:54 am

    I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and
    entertaining, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the
    head. The problem is something too few folks are speaking
    intelligently about. Now i’m very happy that I found this
    in my search for something relating to this.

  • gamefly free trial May 29, 2019 - 5:17 am

    I think the admin of this website is genuinely working hard for his website, since here every data is quality based material.

  • Matlene June 1, 2019 - 7:26 pm

    Where Can I Buy Viagra [url=http://etrobax.com]cialis 20mg for sale[/url] Cialis Generico Vendita Zithromax 500

  • gamefly free trial June 3, 2019 - 8:42 pm

    What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve
    discovered It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads.
    I am hoping to give a contribution & help other customers like its helped
    me. Good job.

  • Matlene June 8, 2019 - 6:19 pm

    Erfahrungen Mit Cialis 5mg Preis Cialis 20mg 4 Stuck cheap 80 mg vardenafil hcl Where To Buy Amoxicillin Vancouver

  • ps4 best games ever made 2019 June 11, 2019 - 11:31 pm

    Hi there would you mind stating which blog platform
    you’re using? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having
    a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and
    I’m looking for something completely unique.
    P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  • viagra June 14, 2019 - 10:26 pm
  • viagra June 14, 2019 - 10:26 pm
  • cialis June 14, 2019 - 10:30 pm
  • Matlene June 15, 2019 - 10:34 pm

    Watery Bloody Stools Amoxicillin Amoxicillin And Clav K Discount Zentel With Free Shipping Quetiapine Online Vente Baclofen 25mg Amoxicillin Reaction In Infants

  • cialis June 18, 2019 - 2:12 am
  • Tena Canedy June 18, 2019 - 2:23 am

    Wow! How did you comoe up with atht coolpost?