American author and poet Maya Angelou, who is best known for her groundbreaking autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” has died at age 86 in North Carolina, her publisher confirmed on Wednesday.
The prolific African-American writer penned more than 30 books, won numerous awards, and was honored last year by the National Book Awards for her service to the literary community.
“Dr. Angelou has passed in Winston-Salem,” said Sally Marvin, of Random House.
R I P my dear sister
I had the opportunity to meet Ms. Angelou when I was in college. She took a cigarette break and I expressed my surprise to her that she smoked. She told me that it was the one thing in her life (at the time) that she wasn’t proud of. About 5 years ago, I attended a fundraiser where she was the guest speaker. And, was surprised that so many years later part of her repertoire was to encourage people not to smoke. REST IN PEACE, Dr. Angelou, the world has lost a great citizen!
Despite smoking she lived to 86 years. I wonder if smoking had something to do with her passing. If so she could have lived some years longer. All the same, this is a usual age of passing. She lived longer than 3 scores and 10. For our times, living years longer than that is on borrowed time. RIP.
With all due respect, I have to say that, while I, and many other critics, find Angelou’s nonfiction powerful, her poetry is generally simplistic, traditional, and had little depth. I do not say this to attack her memory, but Maya Angelou is often publicly credited (often by people who do not read much or any poetry) with being a great poet, and I do not think anyone who has studied poetry in history and from around the world can seriously say Angelou’s poetry is even comparable to that of any great poet. Rita Dove is a far sronger poet.
An example: look at Angelou’s very simplistic, conventional poem about Nelson Mandela. While people who do not read poetry might enjoy it, no one who is a real critic or reader of poetry likely would.
So, while we should praise Angelou for her wide public reach, her ideals, and her nonfiction, I think it unwise to label her a great, or even a good, poet. This is my opinion as a student of literature. If anyone else has read Angelou in depth and would like to agree or disagree or comment, please do.
You are no student of literature.YOU ARE A FOOL..this is one of the people that help shape the black movement..you sound like my little niece she don’t like poems that don’t rhyme but guess what she is 3yrs old..that what you sound like.
You say she has no depth what does that even mean Mr. I am a Student of Literature? The truth is always deep FOOL..
She has the respect of everybody that I respect that make her ROYAL in my book..With over 30 honorable doctorate and and the only poet to ever get to recite a poem in an American President inauguration (Bill Clinton)..
Let me see where being a student gets you..FOOL..SMH..
Wow!
Wow! You must be in a class all by yourself.
This woman was a pioneer in many respects… she was and will always be one of a kind. Maya Angelou found the recipe to transition struggle and pain into hope and freedom. She did it through written and spoken word… she did it by shinning a light on some of the darkest areas of our history. She showed us who we were, who we are and whom we could be.
I had the opportunity to just hang out with Maya Angelou one evening in 1993 and it was truly one of the most memorable occasions in my life. She was really an inspiration to especially black women. Sometimes when I walk I remember her words that evening and I just straighten up and remember my ‘sashay’ as a black woman. I remember her saying to me” Whatever you do, do it with stlye and class.’ The world has lost a really strong black woman. Just being in her presence made you feel almost as they say ‘the spirit was moving.’
#Phenomenal Woman
Maya Angelou – She has lived, she has struggled, there were obstacles but she has won with her determination and perseverance. She has left a legacy behind and will be missed.
I love reading her poems. From time to time a few of her poems were circulated over the Internet through email, from house to house. Such were her inspiring poems that many worldwide read. Here is the life of someone who should be emulated. As I always say, especially by the youths.
You have now gone to your eternal destiny and reward. No more hardship, pain and sorrow. Now rest from your earthly works.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace. Amen!
Rip …..such a great individual.
you will be missed your strong words have taken me through a lot of tough times and I will continue to use them your legend will live on in my heart rest in peace rest peaceful in his warm hands.
Certainly, a name that is known in Dominica. Most of us who have heard of Maya Angelou did so for the first time through the Oprah Winfrey show. I will remember her wonderfully, richly resonant voice and wisdom.
People will forget what you said to them, they will forget what you did to them, but they will never forget how you make them feel……Maya Angelou ….(RIP)
I really loved her poetry. “Still I Rise” is one of my all time favorites. She was an inspiration to black people especially women.
Thanks for your contribution to this world Miss Angelou.
I know why the caged
may your soul rest in piece . u will be missed by many
What words can one use to describe Maya Angelou than simply to say “Phenomenal”. Phenomenal in her rise from physical, mental emotional and psycological pain and adversity to liberation and social redemption and inner peace through all her genres of literary works and the performing arts. in so doing she was herself a liberator, an advocate on gender and racism. She could not be caged, could not be tamed, could not be blamed for not daring.
WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT HER IS THAT SHE DARED TO LIVE even in the tumultuous face of Civil Rights abuses and downright racism and sexism.
One of my Russian Professors in Ukraine once told me and I never forget: WHO DARES WINS!!
She Dared and She won – for all of us – for humanity.
Thank you for all the soulful words of wisdom you have give us Miss A. You surely did inspire many people including myself.
God bless you, where ever you are now.
My deepest condolences to your family and friends.
My favourite piece of (Maya) writing : the poem
“Still I Rise”