"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Maya Angelou Dies at 86
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Re: Maya Angelou Dies at 86
#12"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
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Re: Maya Angelou Dies at 86
#13[deleted]
I've never seen her referred to as poet laureate of the US. I think the phrase that was used by Clinton was the black woman's poet laureate...which I would say is quite appropriate (looking at the sourcing of the word laureate coming from the greek as a wreath of honor bestowed upon poets, military heroes, etc.).
According to the Library of Congress, on becoming a poet laureate:
1. How does one acquire the title of state poet laureate? State poets laureate can acquire their title unofficially or officially. Unofficially, a laureate may be so named through a literary club ceremony, widespread popularity or publicity, or through nicknaming. This allows many poets to claim laureate status, however. Official designation of state poet laureate is by governor's act or proclamation, by legislative action, or by both governor and legislature. --- http://www.loc.gov/rr/main/poets/faq.html
Dr. Maya Angelou is a world renowned poet, human & civil rights champion, and American hero (amongst many of her other magnanimous attributes and works). It is safe to say, through general consensus, that we can call her a poet laureate as well.
Regardless of titles, through her works, she belongs to all because she has impacted, inspired, and influenced many not of her gender or race.
And she is San Francisco's own as well. Salute to a phenomenal woman who truly lived a full life. May we continue to keep learning from her, and continue to hit the high standard of grace she has set.
Re: Maya Angelou Dies at 86
#14[deleted]
I've never seen her referred to as poet laureate of the US. I think the phrase that was used by Clinton was the black woman's poet laureate...which I would say is quite appropriate (looking at the sourcing of the word laureate coming from the greek as a wreath of honor bestowed upon poets, military heroes, etc.).
The comment you are responding to has been deleted. Based solely on what you said, Maya Angelou was definitively never a "United States Poet Laureate" but the argument can be made that she was a "poet laureate". A United States Poet Laureate is an official, appointed, and titled position that is typically held for a length of time [1]. However, at Clinton's request she did compose and recite an inauguration poem, so in the general sense that she was officially appointed by a government official to compose a poem for a special event [2] the argument could be made that she was a "poet laureate".
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Poet_Laureate [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poet_Laureate
Re: Maya Angelou Dies at 86
#15>(pronounced AHN-zhe-lo)
/ˈæn.dʒə.loʊ/ in IPA, if that confused anyone else. (I misinterpreted it as representing /ˈɑːn.ʒə.loʊ/.)
Re: Maya Angelou Dies at 86
#16I saw her speak once in college. She was a brilliant and engaging speaker.
Re: Maya Angelou Dies at 86
#17Here's a recent 14 minute interview she did. As ever, she speaks beautifully and is engaging to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1T9CEjjRzE
In the video she mentions having "already been paid for" (paraphrasing - don't have time to rewatch video at the moment). She uses a similar phrase in her Clinton poem and other interviews.
As I understand it, it's her concept that all the people who went before you to make your life better (moving countries to seek a better life, fighting slavery, fighting wars, getting the right to vote or whatever) paid a price long ago to make your life better. The only way to pay that debt back is to make life better for those yet to come.
Re: Maya Angelou Dies at 86
#18>(pronounced AHN-zhe-lo) /ˈæn.dʒə.loʊ/ in IPA, if that confused anyone else. (I misinterpreted it as representing /ˈɑːn.ʒə.loʊ/.)
That's interesting. I learned the pronunciation from The Simpsons episode, where they apparently pronounced it wrong (I know it wasn't actually Maya who did the voice).
Re: Maya Angelou Dies at 86
#19She is no longer a caged bird.
It's really odd timing: I had never heard of Maya until yesterday, when I discovered her beautiful poetry. I even looked her up on Wikipedia to she if she was still alive...
Re: Maya Angelou Dies at 86
#20Here's a recent 14 minute interview she did. As ever, she speaks beautifully and is engaging to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1T9CEjjRzE In the video she mentions having "already been paid for" (paraphrasing - don't have time to rewatch video at the moment). She uses a similar phrase in her Clinton poem and other interviews. As I understand it, it's her concept that all the people who went before you to mak…
Lovely interview. Asked about her frailty: "What I really want to do is be a representative of my race, of the human race. I have a chance to show how kind we can be. How intelligent and generous we can be. I have a chance to teach and to love and to laugh and I know that when I finish doing what I was sent here to do, I will be called home. And I will go home without any fear [or] trepidations."