I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou · first published 1969
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She was born Marguerite, but her brother Bailey nicknamed her Maya ("mine"). As little children they were sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. Their early world revolved around this remarkable woman and the Store she ran for the black community. White people were more than strangers - they were from another planet. And yet, even unseen they ruled. The Store was a microcosm of life: its orderly pattern was a comfort, even among the meanest frustrations. But then came the intruders - first in the form of taunting poorwhite children who were bested only by the grandmother'
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I like this dumb idea, how about 3 different books Capitalism and Slavery by Eric Williams - what evil really looks like Hayy ibn Yaqdhan by Ibn Tufail - the "theory" of a good life I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou - the "practice" of a good life I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings can be optionally replaced by Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
on “Texas lawmaker wants to know what books on race, sexuality are in schools” ↗…to afford them on my own. I still read far more than the average; apparently around one in four Americans haven't picked up a book in any form in the past year[0]! I've read all of these books except "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings". I have a vague memory of feeling like the Maya Angelou's poetry was somewhat forced on me in school, and as a result wasn't particularly interested in any of her works. This article lead me to do a…
on “Free food and $100 prizes: Alaskans rally to get challenged classics to students” ↗…Alexie An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser The Color Purple by Alice Walker Feed by M.T. Anderson Friday Night Lights by Buzz Bissinger Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou I'm a bit surprised that Ulysses by James Joyce didn't make the list, but maybe the AI couldn't get through it either.
on “Iowa using AI to automatically scan and ban books” ↗This reminds me of reading Maya Angelou’s _I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings_ in high school. I asked our teacher (who also made us memorize the opening to beouwouf) how Angelou could remember some of the quotes. I recall the teacher’s response being something like, “this is…
on “Airbus pilot tries Microsoft Flight Simulator [video]” ↗> A school board in Alaska has got more than it bargained for after pulling classics including The Great Gatsby and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings from the school curriculum, with members of the local community offering incentives to students to read the books anyway – including $100 (£80) prizes and free mac’n’cheese. [snip] > The books remain…
on “Free food and $100 prizes: Alaskans rally to get challenged classics to students” ↗…very old, very white, and very male box. Ahh yes, you shouldn't have to read Dostoevsky because he was just an old white guy. FWIW when I was a kid I had to read the Odyssey and books like Beloved and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings in high school, so I think this article author is being a little selective with her examples.
on “The Atlantic Did Me Dirty” ↗