One of the world’s most notable women, Maya Angelou, will be lecturing at Ohio State in celebration of United Black World Month.
Angelou is a poet, author, civil rights activist, dancer, producer, playwright, actress, film director and professor. She is most recognized for her six autobiographical books, including the award-winning, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
Throughout her lifetime, Angelou has worked with historical American figures, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy. Now more than 50 years after the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Angelou has witnessed an African-American man become president of the United States of America.
Angelou said with the opening of the Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, N.C., the future of the African-American community is looking “rosier and rosier.”
At an F.W. Woolworth’s Lunch Counter in 1960, four African American men were refused service, bullied, and put in jail, she said. Fifty years later, they are owners of the building and the building has been converted into the International Civil Rights Center and Museum.
“The same people enslaved 100 years ago now have a representative in the White House and some little black children in the White House. I know that there are some black women and men who head up some of the major universities in this country, and some are top CEOs,” Angelou said in an interview with The Lantern.
Although Angelou recognizes these as major achievements for the African-American community, she said that in no way does she feel the United States has come far enough. Angelou said the election of Barack Obama made a statement that human beings are more alike than what we claim to be. She said African-Americans were instrumental in putting an black family in the White House, but it took the work of multiple groups of Americans to win the election.
For college students to become successful future leaders of this country, Angelou said they must first know their history. By knowing their history, Angelou believes this will prevent the country from starting back at square one. She said if young people knew their history they would be less likely to walk around speaking offensive language.
The life experiences shared and the topics discussed in Angelou’s works have highlighted major issues within