“Still I Rise” – Poem by Maya Angelou
(Summary)
“Still I Rise”
is a poem written by Maya Angelou, an American civil rights activist and writer.
This poem is extracted from Angelou’s poetry collection “And Still I Rise”
published in 1978. In this poem, the writer asserts the pride and dignity of Afro
Americans (Blacks), who were the victims of the racism and domination of
whites.
In this poem,
the speaker directly questions the wrong doings of racist oppressors in the
name of skin colour. She proclaims that the blacks (Afro Americans) will no longer
remain silent, but will rise up against the discrimination.
The writer speaks
as a representative of her community, particularly, the black women in America.
She says that with the history filled with bitterness and lies, the blacks were
suppressed. But, they will rise up like dust. She says that the racists are
worried about the intelligence of blacks. But, the blacks will walk with
confidence as if they have oil wells in their living rooms. She says that the
blacks will rise up with hopes, just like the Sun and the Moon and the tides in
ocean.
The racists
prefer to see the Blacks (Afro Americans) broken with less confidence. But,
Maya Angelou says that the Blacks will no more lose their self confidence and
self respect. She says that she will laugh confidently as if there are gold
mines in her own backyard. The racists may try to demoralize the blacks with
their bitter words, belittling looks, and hatred, but still, the blacks will
rise up.
The speaker
directly questions the racists whether they are upset by the sex appeal of the blacks.
She boldly says that she could dance as if she wears diamonds between her
thighs. This bold reference to her body is a direct attack on the racist’s
ill-treatment of black women.
In the last
stanzas, the speaker proclaims that from the shameful and painful history, the
blacks will rise. She compares the community of blacks to a black ocean which
is very vast and powerful. She says that they are no more worried with the fear
and terror. The Blacks would rise into a new dawn with the help of the
blessings and gifts given by their ancestors. She finally says that she herself
is a symbol of dream and hope of the blacks.
Thus, the poem
symbolically represents resilience and revolutionary spirit of the Blacks (Afro
Americans), who fought for equal rights in America, under the leadership of
Martin Luther King Jr. and others. This presents the hope and confidence of new
age Blacks such as Maya Angelou, who became successful in life with their
talent and hard work.
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Noojilla Srinivas
Lecturer in English
M: 7981862200
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