The Intersection of Black Womanhood and Resistance in Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’

English

Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” (1978) serves as a profound declaration of strength and resistance, embodying the challenges and victories of Black womanhood against the backdrop of systemic oppression. This paper examines how Angelou’s poem stands as a powerful reflection of the convergence of race, gender, and resistance, emphasising the distinct experiences of Black women as they manoeuvre through societal marginalisation. This study conducts a meticulous examination of the poem’s language, tone and imagery, focussing on how Angelou asserts agency and honours the resilient spirit of Black women. By placing “Still I Rise” within the wider framework of Black feminist thought, the paper contends that Angelou’s work not only confronts stereotypes and deconstructs oppressive narratives but also celebrates the dignity, strength, and beauty inherent in Black identity. This research highlights the lasting significance of “Still I Rise” as a powerful call for empowerment and a tribute to the resilience that is fundamental to Black womanhood. The present study is an attempt to examine Angelou's real experience as a Black woman and the resistance that propelled the advancement of the Black feminist movement.

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