Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
African American
Related: About this forumThe first time I read “Phenomenal Woman”
The first time I read Phenomenal Woman, I was struck by how she celebrated black womens beauty like no one had ever dared to before. (Applause.) Our curves, our stride, our strength, our grace. Her words were clever and sassy; they were powerful and sexual and boastful. And in that one singular poem, Maya Angelou spoke to the essence of black women, but she also graced us with an anthem for all women - a call for all of us to embrace our God-given beauty.
And, oh, how desperately black girls needed that message. As a young woman, I needed that message. As a child, my first doll was Malibu Barbie. (Laughter.) That was the standard for perfection. That was what the world told me to aspire to. But then I discovered Maya Angelou, and her words lifted me right out of my own little head.
Her message was very simple. She told us that our worth has nothing to do with what the world might say. Instead, she said, Each of us comes from the creator trailing wisps of glory. She reminded us that we must each find our own voice, decide our own value, and then announce it to the world with all the pride and joy that is our birthright as members of the human race.
snip
And today, as First Lady, whenever the term authentic is used to describe me, I take it as a tremendous compliment, because I know that I am following in the footsteps of great women like Maya Angelou. But really, Im just a beginner I am baby-authentic. (Laughter.) Maya Angelou, now she was the original, she was the master. For at a time when there were such stifling constraints on how black women could exist in the world, she serenely disregarded all the rules with fiercely passionate, unapologetic self. She was comfortable in every last inch of her glorious brown skin.
http://jenebaspeaks.com/2014/06/michelle-obamas-maya-angelou-memorial-service-eulogy-transcript-video/
And, oh, how desperately black girls needed that message. As a young woman, I needed that message. As a child, my first doll was Malibu Barbie. (Laughter.) That was the standard for perfection. That was what the world told me to aspire to. But then I discovered Maya Angelou, and her words lifted me right out of my own little head.
Her message was very simple. She told us that our worth has nothing to do with what the world might say. Instead, she said, Each of us comes from the creator trailing wisps of glory. She reminded us that we must each find our own voice, decide our own value, and then announce it to the world with all the pride and joy that is our birthright as members of the human race.
snip
And today, as First Lady, whenever the term authentic is used to describe me, I take it as a tremendous compliment, because I know that I am following in the footsteps of great women like Maya Angelou. But really, Im just a beginner I am baby-authentic. (Laughter.) Maya Angelou, now she was the original, she was the master. For at a time when there were such stifling constraints on how black women could exist in the world, she serenely disregarded all the rules with fiercely passionate, unapologetic self. She was comfortable in every last inch of her glorious brown skin.
http://jenebaspeaks.com/2014/06/michelle-obamas-maya-angelou-memorial-service-eulogy-transcript-video/
For every woman we rise and rise and rise
[url=http://postimage.org/][img][/img][/url]
[url=http://postimage.org/][img][/img][/url]
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
7 replies, 1895 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (8)
ReplyReply to this post
7 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The first time I read “Phenomenal Woman” (Original Post)
sheshe2
Jun 2014
OP
I've only ever read "A Rock, a river and a Tree" when it was published after inarguration
applegrove
Jun 2014
#5
applegrove
(118,880 posts)1. What a great speech by and for great women.
sheshe2
(84,005 posts)4. thank you apple.
it was indeed. women, they are so strong and so very beautiful.
applegrove
(118,880 posts)5. I've only ever read "A Rock, a river and a Tree" when it was published after inarguration
day in 1993. I'm going to have to check out all her stuff.
trublu992
(489 posts)2. Yep, she taught me how be a woman and then told me I was beautiful.
I'll never forget when I read that poem my sense of self as a young black woman was at a crossroads and it rose on Maya's words
I love you Maya
Thank You
bravenak
(34,648 posts)3. She and Alice Walker helped me through tough times.
You know how someone you never met feel like a close friend? It was that. Women like them and my mother guided me to becoming a strong woman. My mom bought me any books i wanted, i didn't go for How Stella got Her Groove back for some reason, but i read i know why the caged birds sing over and over, and the color purple a million times.
Uncle Joe
(58,506 posts)6. Kicked and recommended.
Thanks for the thread, sheshe.
niyad
(113,776 posts)7. k and r and thank you for those beautiful pics