Do You know Why the Caged Bird Sings

“The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom. .” - Maya Angelou

 

One can feel the depth of pain expressed in these lines. Maya Angelou is an American Author, Poet and Activist. She is respected as a spokesperson of black people. Born on April 4, 1928, she has received over thirty Honorary Doctoral Degrees, apart from several literary awards. She is a close friend and mentor of one of the greatest media-person – Oprah Winfrey. She recited her poem at the inauguration of US President Bill Clinton in 1993, the recording of which received a Grammy Award.

However, one can hardly believe that an illustrious person's journey of life could be as painful as hers. One look at the list of professions she had to accept gives us a clue, which ranges from a pimp to night club dancer and performer, to an opera performer to an activist to act as a coordinator of Martin Luther King Jr.'s conference, to a journalist in Ghana and West Africa, to an actor, writer and Director of Plays and Television shows.

To have a glimpse of the sufferings Maya Angelou went through, one can read the first part of her acclaimed autobiography titled “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. The book has the honor of longest running record (two years) on New York Times Paperback Bestseller List and was nominated for National Book Award. The book illustrates how strength of a character and love for literature can help one to overcome trauma and racism. The book tells us the story of a young girl, whose parents separated when she was three years of age, faced overt racism from her neighbors as a child, refused by a white dentist to treat her rooting tooth, just because of being a negro, and when she was only eight years of age, she was sexually abused and raped by her mother's boyfriend. The girl became near mute and remained reclusive until she met one Mrs. Bertha who encouraged her through books and communication to regain her voice and soul. The book thus tells us the story of transformation of a victim of racism with inferiority complex to a self possessed, dignified young woman capable of responding to prejudice.

Trivia: After hearing a speech of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. for the first time in the year 1960, Maya Angelou was inspired to join civil rights movement as an activist. Incidentally, Maya's inspiration Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated the same day when Maya was celebrating her Birthday in the year 1968.