I just got back - okay, actually, I got back about 4 hours ago - from a special event held on campus at CSUN tonight: Dr. Maya Angelou graced us with her presence for an evening and a speech.
I have always admired this woman - I did a report on her for Black History Month in middle school, and read her most famous book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. I developed an interest and a respect for her, and learned more about what an amazing influence she is on this world:
An esteemed and very well-beloved poet, artist, author, singer, civil rights activist, playwright, memoirist, educator, historian, filmmaker, and producer, has received three Grammy Awards, the 2000 Presidential Medal of Arts, 2008 Lincoln Medal, and over 30 honorary degrees, and she has served on two presidential committees.
To say she is a phenomenal woman is the understatement of my lifetime.
So when I heard she'd be here, at CSUN, speaking to us, and students got in free, I was ecstatic.
And after her speech/appearance tonight, I am even more in awe of her, and have even deeper respect. She has a beautiful, strong and courageous soul, and it simply radiates off everything she does and says.
To wrap up my evening and share with you a taste of her pervasive and beautiful ideals, I wanted to share some of my favorite quotes of her from tonight. (I'm writing an article on her speech for my reporting class, so I had to take notes. ;))
Enjoy.
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"According to Genesis, God put a rainbow in the sky. I was inspired by the idea that the rainbow was put into the clouds, and not just the sky, giving the possibility of seeing the light."
This was her third time visiting CSUN in 20 years: "I come because I know Northridge is a rainbow in the clouds.”
“Laugh as much as possible…and never trust anybody who doesn’t laugh.”
She looked out at the audience of students and said, “Someone’s [pointing at individuals] going to help us dissolve this horrid, horrid question of racism, ageism, and sexism."
"You’re all the best we have. And we need you so desperately....I see the future in you.”
“Courage is the most important of all virtues – for without courage, you can’t practice other values consistently.”
“I don’t think anyone is born with courage. I think you’re born with the ability to be courageous.”
Racism was “created to dehumanize human beings.”
“Try not to be in any company where racism is the majority. Just don’t do it.”
“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
“I always say yes to a good thing, and then I pray…and then I go to someone who knows a thing or two about it, and then I go to the little people and ask, ‘what do you know on this subject?’ and then I pray some more.”
“I shall die, but that is all I will do for death.”
“See yourselves as rainbows in the sky.”
“I am in love with the search for truth.”
“We are the true wonder of the world.”
Professors told her when she was a young woman, for the first time in her life, “You can do it. And I did it.”
I'm reading the book my grandma gave me for my birthday - "Letter To My Daughter" by Maya Angelou. I love reading her take on certain subjects - from love to humanity to giving birth. She writes everything so poetically, and gives a unique perspective on these subjects that makes them sound harmonious.
