I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Spoiler Alert: We are far more alike than we are different.

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A truly beautiful, world-changing autobiography, Maya Angelou has a way of finding the meaning and the magic in ever experience she's ever faced. Despite growing up in a world that did everything in its power to oppress her -- as a black, powerful woman -- she ultimately paved her own path in life, serving not only as an inspiration to all, but as the voice of a new era. No matter your background, I highly suggest everyone read this book. Through even the simplest of anecdotes, Dr. Angelou never fails to deliver a punch; her words are likely to stay in your head for a long long time, and make you a better person for it. There are not many authors for which I can say that. In her most detailed memoir, Maya Angelou takes readers on the complex and treacherous journey that is her life. As a young girl growing up in Stamps, Arkansa, to a young woman in San Francisco, California, pain seems to follow Maya wherever she goes. Despite being surrounded by a strong and supportive family -- a family that is beloved in their respective communities, she still finds herself the victim of terrible discrimination, sexual assault, and gender inequality. For every page of sorrow and fear however, somehow the underlying message of this story remains optimistic. In showing readers the hypocrisy of the time as well and delving deep into the workings of her own mind she not only delivers a poignant novel, but a call to action as well. As I am both a woman and a white person hoping to better understand what it means to be black in America, this story was incredibly empowering and educational. So many people have such interesting and necessary stories to tell if they are only given the chance (Dr. Angelou just happens to do so with incredible talent). It was truly a pleasure to get to know such an amazing woman through her words and her life story. I feel forever changed because of it. Whether she was getting scolded from her grandmother or running away from Mexico, I always felt that I was right there with her; Her writing tends to have that effect. I am struck by the strength of the common threads between all human beings -- the gravity with which we feel pain and sorrow, yet still endure. The title of this novel is incredibly well-chosen. Even in the darkest times, in the most terrible of circumstances there is light. There is art and beauty and love and peace everywhere if one only takes the time to look. The human spirit is certainly resilient, and reading this tale I am more sure of this than ever. It's a beautiful thing to see yourself and your struggles reflected back at you through the pages of a book -- it is even more beautiful when this book happens to move a nation, to become world-renowned and move an entire people to realize your struggle -- your strength. When so many people are able to relate to a young, black woman perhaps they are able to realize that a world needs to change. Even today (arguably more-so than ever) we are each responsible for paving a better tomorrow. We owe it to Maya, to the black community, to the youth, and to ourselves. Maya Angelou shows readers -- black and white, rich and poor, man and woman-- their innate, indescribable magic. Through the simplest acts of bravery, of courage and survival, of kindness and forgiveness, we all have the opportunity to live grand extraordinary lives. We all have the opportunity to leave our mark on the world and make significant, positive change.

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Favorite Quotes: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” ~~ “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.” ~~ “Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you.” ~~ "Few, if any, survive their teens. Most surrender to the vague but murderous pressure of adult conformity. It becomes easier to die and avoid conflict than to maintain a constant battle with the superior forces of maturity.” ~~ “Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you can wait.”