In the year 1940, 75 years after slavery was abolished, African Americans were still experiencing hateful and demoralizing discrimination. ... Angelou was an acclaimed poet, author, dancer, actress, playwright, director, and civil rights activist. ... This quotation exemplifies the lack of common courtesy African Americans received- even at their public event- by white people. ... Angelou begins to question her own self-meaning and how being an African American woman discounted her in society. It is not until Angelou sings along with Henry Reed that she discovers the gratification of being an ...

• Word Count: 1074
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate