The Phenomenal Maya Angelou
Back in 1993 a movie was released starring Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, and written and directed by John Singleton. I was in high school, impressionable, about 15 years old, and didn't know much about Maya Angelou. I knew the career of Janet, I knew the songs of Tupac, and I trusted the cinematic vision of Mr. Singleton. So this introduction to the poetry of Dr. Angelou already came highly endorsed for me. Everyone remembers Janet reading "Phenomenal Woman." The empowerment, the strength, the pride, and how it made us stand tall as women. Even at the age of 15, we heard those words and felt the passion behind the cadences as Janet recited one of the many, many written works of Maya. There are dozens of references, words, and reflections of Maya Angelou that we can think about today, on the day of her passing. After 86 years, this morning her life ended, but her legacy is so rich and comprehensive that we will be speaking her name and reading her thoughts, and foll...