The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou - Why White Nationalist Want Her Removed from Libraries...From History - We MUST Fight Against The Loss of Precious Words!

In the book Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson,   Maya Angelou was mentioned quite a number of times by the main character. She had been given a picture that was just taken down from the school library--because this wonderful author was no longer welcome there. Melinda thinks the school board must be scared of Angelou--why else would her books no longer be available in the library...nor her picture, that even has some beautiful words, and not be able to be viewed by students...???

Melinda hangs her new picture  in an old closet that seems not to be used by anybody, and she starts scrubbing, bringing in a blanket, and, talking to Maya, telling her that she might bring some books in to read while she's there, thinking that, maybe, she would find some peace in the midst of the day, especially when she could no longer stand having everybody stare at her or shun her... Or, worse, expect her to talk to them! She had vowed she would not speak after IT had happened... It was easier to just hide away from anybody...

In her book The Heart of a Woman, Maya Angelou wrote, “If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.”

Sure I knew who she was and, of course, follow her on Facebook 

“Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you can wait.” posted 8-21-22 in celebration of her life

and had even referenced her works from time to time, but when the author of Speak spoke about the solitary fantasy, I could not help but think about how a young 13-year-old girl who had just been raped would find herself finding comfort in fantasy, as opposed to her reality, for surely she was in solitary, even if self-imposed, upon facing the new reality of her no longer being a virgin--and NOT by her own decision... I knew Maya would understand...

It didn't take me long to decide that I, too, wanted to spend some time with Angelou, and a memoir could be exactly what I wanted to read... I'm very glad I did! Indeed, she is a woman to be reckoned with and a possible role model for many girls and women around the world... if she were allowed to be...

Maya Angelou would be one of those writers who would be banned by white nationalists, simply because of her race... For those us who have read some of her words, we cannot help but learn from her--of pain, of love, of life... She has so much to tell... to all people, no matter what color you are! Thus, when she is confronted by those she has just met that they seemed to be talking about whites so much, she thought to herself:

In the ensuing years in California the jokes came scarcer and the jobs grew meaner. Anger was always present whenever the subject of whites entered our conversations. We discussed the treatment of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi, the large humiliations and the petty snubs we all knew were meant to maim our spirits. I had heard white folks ridiculed, cursed and envied, but I had never heard them dominate the entire intimate conversation of a black family. 

In the Killenses’ home, if entertainment was mentioned, someone would point out that Harry Belafonte, a close family friend, was working with a South African singer, Miriam Makeba, and South Africa was really no different from South Philly. If the West Indies or religion or fashion entered the conversation, in minutes we were persistently examining the nature of racial oppression, racial progress and racial integration. I fretted at the unrelenting diatribe, not because I disagreed but because I didn’t think whites interesting enough to consume all my thoughts, nor powerful enough to control all my movements...

You know, folks, over the years I've lived, I've had many occasions to talk to, see, and watch those who are Black. I remember a personal experience that made me realize that I may be different from other white people--maybe--you'll have to decide for yourself. Many, many years ago, I was attending a basketball game on campus. I sat with an acquaintance at that time--I must admit after the experience, I chose not to become more involved with her, although I had many opportunities. 

Working on campus, I looked around to see who I knew, picking out both men and women, of different races, with whom I'd had contact. One of the men turned just as I was looking at him and waved to me--I returned the greeting with a warm smile. The woman sitting beside me asked if I knew him and I said, yes, he was a professor on campus. She then began a discussion about interacting with men of a different race. As usual, I was honest and open, at least at first when I am with somebody and responded that, yes, I thought he was attractive (which he was). Somehow she got around to dating and a relationship. All I can remember was that, I responded, that, for me, I would first think about any children from such a relationship. At that time, mixed races was "frowned upon," to be polite, and I said that I wouldn't want to have children have to face such prejudice...

Well, before the month was over thereafter, I had a favorite aunt ask me if I was dating Black men. I said no, of course, since I wasn't dating anybody in those days. LOL... I asked why she was asking and she told me that she'd been told that I was or would be willing to date men of a different race...and then shared who had told her--of course, it was the woman with whom I had briefly chatted at the game... Well, I learned, that day, that I could not trust that acquaintance--who would remain merely an acquaintance... 

However, since I was on campus, I would watch as Blacks would congregate in a far corner of the student union, so of course wondered about "separation..." Yet, I worked with both Black men and women and, indeed, had a good friend in high school, as well as had become friends with those with whom I worked.

One thing I saw was that Black people support each other more than, in my opinion, white people. As I grew older, I can recall one writer with whom I worked that, when I needed personal help, it was to him I turned, asking for prayer. At that time, I thought he would say, of course, I will... like all those white people who quickly write, sending prayers...and then go on to another post to comment. But this Black elder, stopped right there, and, online, he started to write/pray for me! His words were appropriate to the situation, his words were sincere in expressing concern for me...and I knew He was a man of God because he spoke to God like he was on a first name basis...* Anyway, over time, I have felt that people of the Black race, are far more family-oriented than most white people I knew... And I realized that, perhaps, it was because of how white people have traditionally treated those of the Black race... It must be much

harder, I think, to be a Black parent, knowing that, even in today's world, that they must teach their child(ren) about prejudice, bias, and potential violence against them just because of their race... I have come to respect the Black race, just because of all of those I have met that, indeed, deserved to be respected...

As a young single mother, Maya traveled often, each time, her son would, sometimes, unwillingly quickly prepare to go somewhere and start over, for a short time. From her words, he seems to have been a very special boy (who died at the age of 77, as also an author and poet.) and was there for her during those years when she strived to be able to make enough money to provide for shelter and food. And sometimes, those friends had to remind her of what was really happening in America:

“Girl, don’t you believe it. Georgia is Down South. California is Up South. If you’re black in this country, you’re on a plantation. You have to deal with masters. There might be some argument over whether they are vicious masters, but be assured that they all think they are masters … And if they think that, then you’d better believe they think you are the slave. Maybe a smart slave, a pretty slave, a good slave, but a slave just the same.”

Even though this book and her others was written some time ago, you can and will find her words just about anywhere that shares about just how important one single person can become in America... So much so that I find, that it is more important to me to, now, celebrate her life, and share that she died at the age of 86, and just how sad, yet, defiant, she would be as today many white nationalists are striving to erase her and so many others from our history... I say to you, who claim to be Christian, that what you are doing by trying to erase the Black Culture, will NOT succeed! We will celebrate those words that have been shared and are still being shared even after her death on places like Facebook, because we want to remember her face, her words...and her gigantic love of life! And so much wisdom that there is NO way it can be stifled!

“I do not trust people who don't love themselves and yet tell me, 'I love you.' There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.” 

“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.”

Be sure that you always share wise words and not stifle those just because somebody else hates! God loves ALL He created!

Right Now! Celebrate The Words of Maya Angelou!

MAY EACH WHO READS THIS RISE UP AGAINST HATE AND SHARE WORDS OF WISDOM AND OF GOD'S LOVE!

*By the way, I feel the same way about Joe Biden. I "know" he is a good man of God, because he speaks like one...his words come naturally to his tongue, and his acts toward all men and women are truly there to be seen as he continues to strive to help

 America.