As soon as I started I could not put this book down. Tillie Olsen pens a phenomenal foreword. She affirms that Black Women Writers at Work is a resource for readers, writers, teachers, and students. Olsen indicates how labels like "black" and "woman" “…relegated a writer to less than full writer’s status; resulted as well in ignorance of or lack of full recognition to a writer’s work and achievement.” She supportively acknowledges black women writers and their contributions to the literary community. Her advice to the reader is “turn to these pages on which these writers limn themselves and so much else; and from these pages —you readers who have not yet the fortune of knowing their work—turn to their way-opening work, as you surely will.”
This statement was the perfect preface to Claudia Tate’s introduction.
Tate displays her admiration for black women writers as she explains why they write. She points out “By and large black women writers do not write for money or recognition. They write for themselves as a means of maintaining emotional and intellectual clarity, of sustaining self-development and instruction. Each writes because she is driven to do so, regardless of whether there is a publisher, audience, or neither.”
Black women writers must write. Furthermore, they must write well. It is as Angelou states in her interview “My responsibility as a writer is to be as good as I can be at my craft.”
What a joy it was for the first interview to be with Maya Angelou.
She speaks of image-making and how we, as Black women, must see ourselves to relate to life in America. “We need to see our mothers, aunts, our sisters, and grandmothers.” This ideology served as her creative foundation. Angelou expresses how grateful she is for the work that has gone into her writings, but warns against becoming overly concerned with "being an artist". She asserts “It’s more important to get the work done. People spend more time posing than getting the work done. The work is all there is.”
This shines a light on how Angelou is able to impact others with her writings. She is clear of what her focus is and the purpose it serves in the world.
Her belief is that “…all things are possible for a human being, and I don’t think there’s anything in the world I can’t do. The physical gifts are given to me, just like having two arms is a gift. In my creative source, wherever it is, I don’t see why I can’t sculpt. Why shouldn't I ? Human beings sculpt.”
She does not limit her creativity but that statement led me to consider the ways I have limited mine.
Thank you, Maya.
This sentiment is profound but often overlooked. In some ways, I adopted society’s limitations about being a black woman. But above all, I am a human being.
Maya Angelou’s interview displays the importance of receiving ourselves with love and compassion. This message radiates throughout her autobiographical works. She expresses, “All my work is meant to say ‘You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.’ In fact, the encountering may be the very experience which creates the vitality and the power to endure.”
I am grateful for the mind of Maya Angelou. I have been a student of her work and teachings for years. She was my introduction to black women writers and her autobiographical works remain an inspiration. She cherished her craft and put well-curated art into the world. It serves as representation that her legacy carries on. May she continue to rest in peace.