I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the memoir of the great African American author, poet, and entertainer, Maya Angelou. She was born in the state of California in 1928. As a child, Maya was sent away to her Grandmother in Arkansas because her mother was having marital problems. Maya grew through many problems everywhere she went. She faced racism, sexism and gender abuse. While facing all of these issues Maya develops into a young, mature African American woman. There were lots of events that molded and affected Maya's life during her childhood into becoming a young woman.
Born as Marguerite Johnson, Maya Angelou her brother, Bailey Johnson was born in Long Beach, California. Maya was an African American girl with nappy black hair, broad feet and a space between her teeth. Maya was very disciplined for a young girl and well educated. Bailey, Maya's older brother, was loyal, good looking, intelligent, and playful. Maya and Bailey were shipped off to live with their grandmother, Momma Henderson who lived in Stamps, Arkansas. Momma Henderson was a woman of substance, who was respected for being the only black female entrepreneur in town. Maya and Bailey were sent to their grandmother's house because of their parents divorce. While staying with their grandparents, Maya feels that she doesn't belong there. Maya also thinks that both of her parents are dead since she never hears of them. After Christmas, Maya and Bailey's father appears without notification. Maya would always fantasize about her father but he was much larger and more handsome than she had ever imagined. At first Maya wants everyone to see her father and be envious of her, but when she realizes that people are going to compare her with him, she wishes that no one would see him. Maya starts to dislike the fact that her father was in Stamps and she wants him to leave. Maya and Bailey's father then asked if they would want to come with him to St.