My dear friend and colleague, Sara Place, took notes during Unique Lives with Maya Angelou on Monday night. She shares her notes here:
RAINBOWS IN THE CLOUDS
Maya Angelou – October 29th
“At the worst of times the possibility of seeing hope” – be a rainbow in somebody’s clouds
- Canada was a rainbow during the time of slavery – accepted people – safety
“Courage is the most important of all of the virtues. Without courage the other virtues don’t exist”
“I am a human being – nothing human can be alien to me”
- We are all a part of one race – humanity
- Language – available to us – human
- The N word – poision – racial pejorative – dangerous
“Poetry is like storage in your brain it’s in your backbone, keeps you standing”
- Read all poetry – all languages – it all belongs to you
- Poetry helps you to overcome life’s challenges
“When you get: Give. When you learn: Teach.”
- Encouragement – tell people that they are excellent, accept that you are excellent
- PAUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR – Poet
- People can rarely be greater than their own propaganda
- EDNA VINCENT MILLAY
- Courage is the most important virtue
- “Take Time Out” Maya Angelou
- Remember what it was like to be young
- Don’t be jealous
- Take responsibility for young people ‘those are my children’
- Don’t shoosh the ‘good’ noises – laughter etc.
- “I’m not a cursing woman. It’s not one of my gifts”
- Remember what it was like to be young
“I never trust people who don’t laugh”
“Be careful when the naked person offers you a shirt”
“From time to time you have to get your own back”
“Always say yes when the good stuff is asked of you”
- And then talk to people about it – all people
- “I was mute so long I learned to listen”
A Brave and Startling Truth
“WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE THE SUN WON’T SHINE ANYMORE I AM WILLING TO BE A RAINBOW IN SOMEBODY’S CLOUD”
Be sure to check out Sara’s new blog:
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