In the poem “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou, an important idea in the text that is relevant to teenagers today is rising above the attitude of others. “Still I Rise” is about an African-American person standing up to the society norms and stereotypes of a black person, rather than bowing down to the disgusting rules and orders of those around her (Maya Angelou). Rising above the attitudes of others is relevant to teens today as teens are supposed to be “ignorant”, a stereotype given by oppressors. Another important idea is persevering in the face of oppression or difficulty. This relates to teens today because under twenties are usually followed around by people in stores because of stereotypes, like black people were followed and still are. One more important idea is freedom and fair treatment for anyone of any background. This relates to teens today as teens are very behind the current Black Lives Matter movement and want to fight for fair treatment that everyone deserves.
An important idea in the poem “Still I Rise” is rising above the attitude of others. This idea relates to teenagers today because a stereotype created about teenagers is that they are supposed to be “ignorant” and “rude”, people are very quick to judge someone just because of their age or skin colour. Even if their assumption is completely false. “Still I Rise” shows many examples of rising above the attitude of others, one being “you may trod me in the very dirt, but still, like dust, I rise” this is very important and relevant quote as in the likes of George Floyd, he was put face down in the dirt until he could not breath, but his legacy has risen and created a union of teens and others to help the cause of black lives matter. This is a metaphor though, as they’re not actually trodding her in the dirt. “You may trod me in the very dirt” is significant because trod is a very violent verb, compared to “but still, like dust, I rise” dust is a very light word so it is signifying the light being shed onto a dark situation. This technique is juxtaposition (The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effects and if very effective for contrasting light and darker words). Teenagers today are definitely facing hard times, so they need to shed some light onto a bad situation.
A second important idea in the text is persevering in the face of oppression and difficulty. This idea relates to teenagers today as they are getting a lot of pressure put on them to be the happy and high achieving student, and some of the goals that are too hard or achievable to do and the difficulty of the situation can sometimes get too much. A quote that supports this idea is “into daybreak that’s wondrously clear, I rise” the line “into daybreak that’s wondrously clear” is a strong line that shows leaving behind that day that may have been not so good and starting a new day with a new attitude. Even if the past day has been presented with difficulty, tomorrow is a new day and I think that teens today need to be reminded that no matter what happened today, tomorrow is a new day with new beginnings. Another strong quote that supports this idea is “Does my sassiness upset you?”, this line is a very direct quote to the reader as Maya Angelou wants to address the question This teqnique links to teens today as teens today are referred to as sassy so this is something some teenagers today would say. It also highlights overcoming difficulty and although it may not seem it, teens do go through a lot of difficulty. Preserving in the face of oppression and difficulty is a very universal statement and Angelou uses rhetorical questions, self confidence and universal comment that teens and others can relate to.
The last important idea in the text is freedom and fair treatment for everyone of any background. This idea is important because so many people are being and have been oppressed just because of their skin colour or background, which is disgusting. I think that this idea is the most current of the text as over the past few months, protests have been happening because of inequality and oppression. These protests are much like the ones that went on when this poem was written. Many teenagers are taking part of these protests as our generation is going to have to be the one to change this unfairness as the ones before us have failed to do so. A quote that supports this idea is “Bringing gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave” this quote signifies that Maya Angelou came from an oppressed family who was treated unfairly, and the line “I am the dream and the hope of the slave” shows that Angelou is making a change. She wants to be the very needed role model for people of colour, and to make their lives equal to everyone else’s. Maya Angelou used rhyming to strengthen her statement and made it so it was relatable to her and others. Teens today are fighting for freedom and fair treatment for everyone who needs it, just like the 1968 protests, supporting the same cause. We need to change if we want to have a better world.
In conclusion, Maya Angelou showed many important ideas that are all relevant and influential. This helped the reader have a proper connection with the poem and made you want to read more and more and help the cause of Black Lives Matter. When looking deeper and deeper into the poem you start to see the ideas of rising above the attitude of others and preserving in the face of oppression and difficulty as well as freedom and fair treatment for anyone of any background or skin colour. As I read more and more I, the reader, slowly felt more connected to the poem “Still I rise”.
By Paige Gawn
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