What is the meaning behind Maya Angelou's poem, "Still I Rise?"?

Question

I am doing a research paper on this poem, and need some insight on what influenced her to write this poem.

Answer 1

Read "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" to get the insight on why this poem was written, or paint your skin, live on the street, and try to oppose the man. You'll get some idea.

Answer 2

My love, I do believe we have met in some other life...and our encounter felt the same - you are familiar. You have a bold unreserved approach that impresses me. You are not afraid to be excessive, and I like it. Is there any gaurantee that this sort of encounter will happen again? Will we again meet in the future? (Ambiguos as to now or another life/meaning both) I do not want to lose my youth and the last experience. I defy aging. Neither do I want to die without the assurance of having this encounter again. Maya Angelou is 'heavy'. Peace.

Answer 3

And Still I Rise Meaning

Answer 4

It's a poem about persistence to shine...to overcome anything you think you can knock her down with. A poem of never giving up her aspirations, because you think she just shouldn't have it.

Answer 5

its a powerful statement of defiance. you try to knock me down but still i rise. in a country where having dark skin is often equated with being a felon it is saying you can't hurt me no matter what you do -- i rise.

Answer 6

It is a poem of overcoming-- she's challenging everyone that tries to put her down-- She is rising above everything from slavery to white supremecy. She IS a black ocean!


Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.