"Still I Rise" is a poem by the African-American poet Maya Angelou, written in 1970, in which she talks about racism towards African Americans and sexism towards black women. Precisely, this poem shows how black women in African American society were judged and how they gained the power to overcome this injustice of treatment. The poem "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou addresses how black women gained confidence and self-respect through the impression of white oppressors who oppressed them. Angelou portrays this as using her personal experiences and talent in literature to show 1970s society how difficult it was to deal with racism and sexism, particularly for black women. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou comes from the historical context of discrimination that was partly ending in the 1920s. By the 1920s, segregation and discrimination against African Americans had ended, but a new injustice against black women began. Maya Angelou is considered an activist best known for her contributions to the African American civil rights movement and is renowned for her exquisite portraits of historically discriminated against populations, hoping to create a movement to stop sexism and racism against women. black women. “Excellence is the best deterrent against racism or sexism” (Oprah Winfrey). This shows Angelou's closest friend supporting her thoughts and helping her through her devastating life experiences. Angelou writes this poem so that minority voices will be heard and to expose the crime of discrimination. He uses his talent in literature to express injustice. This poem has a variety of literary devices, such as similes, figurative languages ​​and allusions that transfer the message of Angelou's spirit and poetics "soul to readers", in other words, saying that a soul has its purpose for each individual and that you should express it. “Still I Rise” portrays a profound recognition of the reality of the fundamental issues of black women in 1970s America. “You can shoot me with your words, you can cut me with your eyes” (Angelou lines 21-22). Angelou's inspirations behind her poetry were brought from her past life experiences. She comes from a small town in the Deep South where she was segregated and had to keep her hopes high to survive racial hatred. Her dark moments from her childhood could be seen in the poem when she says “You could tread me right into the dirt” (Angelou line 3). He suffered from discrimination, which increased his determination to grow up from his family. So you could argue, but it made her a confident person but also an emotionally tough personality. These identities were evident when he asked "Does my pride offend you?" (Angelou line 21) “Does my sensuality disturb you?” (Angelou line 25). The power of the words used here can also be seen as Angelou being a feminist which, according to Black Woman's engagement with Black Power in politics, has led to a blazing freedom. This causes the rise and development of women's liberation in the 1970s. Coincidentally, it uses the power of language to empower people who suffer in isolated silence. Her personal life experience influences her. For example, when her parents divorced and she was sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend it gave her a complex. His life was full of endless miseries. However, towards the end of his poem, he tells the audience that it is serioussuffering she had in her past gave her enough power to empower herself, raise her voice and help other women in society embrace who they are. “I get up, I get up, I get up” (Angelou lines 41-43). This poem is a strong moral towards his enemies in which he assures that no one will caress their actions to speak for what he is but himself. She simply embraces her greatness and that of every other woman who is indulgent in their faces. 'Still I Rise' taught a life-long moral: "Don't let oppression bring you down and never let your past dominance, your emcee, ruin your future!". Similes are used in this poem and commonly in literature. Angelou captures the audience's attention and interest by making distinctive comparisons. Angelou portrays confidence with her humor and positive tone in her poetry, such as “Because I walk like I have oil wells pumping in my living room” (Angelou 7). In the 1970s, this phrase would have been considered an absurd joke that a black woman was rich enough to own oil wells. Ignoring this judgment, she walks proudly with her head held high as if she were a woman of luxury. This is a great example of Maya Angelou on how she carries herself in public and lets others know her place in society and the equal rights she has. Another following example is “Why I laugh like I have gold mines” / “Digging in my backyard” (Angelou 19-20). He expresses the way he would like to laugh at his oppressors, out loud with satisfaction. Picking up with another simile is “That I dance like I have diamonds” “At the meeting of my thighs?” (Angelou 27-28). Angelou jokingly shows the comparison between her pride of being a black woman and the most expensive jewelry, comparing her genitals to diamonds and, thus, emphasizing that she is worth it and expensive, regardless of her skin color or gender. Oil wells, diamonds, gold mines are symbols of wealth that at the same time symbolize her dignity, fair treatment and respect that she and black women deserve from society. Angelou throughout the poem uses only one simile to show her weakest moment when it concerns our sympathy with her sadness, loneliness and emptiness "Shoulders falling like tears", "Weakened by my soulful cries?" (Angelou 15-16). However, this weakness does not hold her back from fighting to have the same rights as everyone else. Other even more heartfelt similes are “Just like the moons and like the suns” (Angelou 9). “Like hopes that blossom,” (Angelou 11). “But still, like the dust, I will rise” (Angelou 4). “But still, like the air, I will rise” (Angelou 24). It refers to the sun and the moon, it will continue to grow and learn from its failure. Like dust, after being trampled, it will go up and, like air, it will rise with force. For example, we can understand that air refers to a sense of encouragement and dust to awakening. These similes that she uses to share her personal experiences, have given black women in society the motivation to never give up under any conditions, instead of standing up. “Still I Rise” uses simile to gain attention by expressing complex emotions. So, he also uses allusions which is an essential aspect that helps bring out the results of “Still I Rise”. Angelou uses this to show the devastating and trying past she went through especially because she was black. “You could write me into history” “With your bitter and twisted lies” (Angelou lines 1-2). She begins with this opening verse referring to being a black woman, especially in America, forced to receive “special treatment” and yet not be accepted. This may also refer to misunderstood stereotypes about.