Maya Angelou

On Thursday evening, I sat in the UNT Colesium and listened to Dr. Maya Angelou. She spoke about Rainbow in the Clouds, and how each person shines as part of that rainbow. It was a good theme, and extremely uplifting and inspirational.

I thought her presentation was very good, and she is indeed a good story teller, mixing a history of her long life, the poetry that she has written and the people that she has met along on her life’s journey. I was suprised to learn about her youth, and through that understanding I discovered the draw that she has with a great many people. It’s not just about her words; it’s about her life.

At the close of the evening, she read a poem titled “A Bright and Startling Truth” which she dedicated to UNT (and which will appear on the UNT website at some point in the near future). I didn’t think much of it, but I’m sure when I have the opportunity to actually read it, I will think differently.

Prior to Dr. Angelou speaking there was one other speaker, and two performances.

The speaker was a gentlement that applied to UNT as a freshman in 1955, and was denied entry due to the color of his skin. He took legal action against UNT, and won; enabling him to start his undergraduate program in 1956. 2006 represents the fiftieth anniversary of the first African-American freshman being admitted to UNT – this gentlement who stood before us.

The first performance was this actress who performed a selection of readings through performance. I could barely understand any of the words she used (bad microphone placement I guess, and heavy accent). The second performance was a guy who is a theatre junior at UNT who did a selection of dances from the 1950s and 1960s. He was brilliant and extremely talented! I hope to find out his name and link to his information soon.
Sydney question about george bush

Read african american literaturre and poetry
Librarian make fun historically and hysterical

Great story teller
Very animated in her voice

Black poet I’m 1892 and 1894
– caged bird sings

Who know the range of the light of his rainbow

Dedicated poem
A brave and startling truth