Maya Angelou Died (1 Viewer)

[Rayderr]

CNN has it as the biggest, most prominent story. Interviewing all kinds of people on the air about her.

Fox has it as one of a group of headlines. Top story is about some guy who had his guns taken from him by mexcicans.

lol

You mean the US Marine who has been held by the Mexican Government for 2 months for crossing over the border illegally (with 3 guns in his vehicle)?

Did something new happen with that story? Or is Fox just continuing to endlessly repeat it because it's red meat for the nativist element of its audience?

First court appearance today. CNN also has it as one of their top stories.

 

[timschochet]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

 

[Greggity]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

Maya the bee is more famous imo....

 

[DiStefano]

I think Tom Brady is overrated, too.

 

[Freelove]

I think Tom Brady is overrated, too.

I'm going to need you to Google up some corroborating opinions.

 

[DiStefano]

I think Tom Brady is overrated, too.

I'm going to need you to Google up some corroborating opinions.

I can't name a single poem he wrote.

 

[Rayderr]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

If those same people also proclaim her to be one of the best ever, then yes, they are overrating her. It's not that hard of a concept to grasp. If you're actually familiar with her work, and say she's one of the best, fine. But if don't know squat, you shouldn't be rating them.

 

[Native]

I also think Shakespeare, Galileo, Alabama (the CFB team, not the band), Google, David Ortiz, Nelson Rockefeller and Jackson Pollack are all OVERRATED.

 

[urbanhack]

Overrated, but hey, she was a celeb, and that makes her into a huge figure.

figured you would be the first to be **** bag.

 

[McGarnicle]

I think Tom Brady is overrated, too.

Don't know about that, but definitely Favre.

 

[rockaction]

RIP. Loved her poetry stumbling upon it in high school. We didn't have much in our small town library, but we had this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Give_Me_a_Cool_Drink_of_Water_'fore_I_Diiie

 

[Greggity]

RIP. Loved her poetry stumbling upon it in high school. We didn't have much in our small town library, but we had this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Give_Me_a_Cool_Drink_of_Water_'fore_I_Diiie

Thats beautiful....

 

[rockaction]

RIP. Loved her poetry stumbling upon it in high school. We didn't have much in our small town library, but we had this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Give_Me_a_Cool_Drink_of_Water_'fore_I_Diiie

Thats beautiful....

Heh. Well...it's true.

 

[metoo]

Overrated, but hey, she was a celeb, and that makes her into a huge figure.

figured you would be the first to be **** bag.

When people show you who they are, believe them.

 

[BobbyLayne]

I have no idea where she "ranks", my literary knowledge is not vast enough to form an opinion. But I would highly recommend her powerful memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings".

 

[DiStefano]

Overrated, but hey, she was a celeb, and that makes her into a huge figure.

figured you would be the first to be **** bag.

When people show you who they are, believe them.

Somehow, to say someone is overrated is a immense insult, worthy of personal condemnation in obscene language..

 

[TobiasFunke]

Overrated, but hey, she was a celeb, and that makes her into a huge figure.

figured you would be the first to be **** bag.

When people show you who they are, believe them.

Somehow, to say someone is overrated is a immense insult, worthy of personal condemnation in obscene language..

Like I said before, it's not really the opinion itself that makes you look bad as much as when/why you chose to share it. Really weird.

 

[17seconds]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

If those same people also proclaim her to be one of the best ever, then yes, they are overrating her. It's not that hard of a concept to grasp. If you're actually familiar with her work, and say she's one of the best, fine. But if don't know squat, you shouldn't be rating them.

Get ready for a lot of this.

Saying Maya Angelou is brilliant while not knowing more than 3 lines of her work was an epidemic when she was alive.

 

[The_Man]

Serious question -- would we have heard of her at all if her name was Helen Jenkins?

Or if it were Marguerite Johnson?

Guess what, your mind's just been blown because that was her real name.

 

[Kal El]

She was a good poet, from what I've read of her work. It's a bummer that she's dead, but at 86, not particularly unexpected.

 

[Osaurus]

We truly lost one of the nation's greatest rappers. RIP yo!

 

[Greggity]

Serious question -- would we have heard of her at all if her name was Helen Jenkins?

Or if it were Marguerite Johnson?

Guess what, your mind's just been blown because that was her real name.

How about Jerimiah Johnson Jehoshaphat....

 

[General Malaise]

I have no idea where she "ranks", my literary knowledge is not vast enough to form an opinion. But I would highly recommend her powerful memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings".

Yup. Just came here to post this very thought. I'm not sophisticated enough to call her entire body of work overrated, but I read this book as a freshman in college in racially charged Jackson, MS and it hit me like a load of bricks. Very powerful book, IMO.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Maya Angelou was a beautiful person who spread joy in this world.

That people want to chime in here with "she was overrated" is really crass and lame.

 

[Freelove]

Woman lived more and harder the first half of her life than any ten people I've ever personally met. And she possessed both the will and the voice to express that -- openly, honestly, and artistically.

Like anyone who builds up a large body of work, not everything was a gem. She's been little more than a voice for hire for a while now. I don't fault her for that, but I can understand the hesitancy to applaud it.

C'mon, though. She just died. Seems like the time to celebrate the former and give her a pass for the latter. Let history weigh their relative merits.

 

[desert rose]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

 

[McGarnicle]

Serious question -- would we have heard of her at all if her name was Helen Jenkins?

Or if it were Marguerite Johnson?

Guess what, your mind's just been blown because that was her real name.

That's exactly my point. Changing her name made her more marketable. Maya Angelou sounds like some wise old island priestess. Just found it interesting to ponder whether that contributed to this mystical level of fame she had, with people saying how amazing she was without being familiar with her work.

 

[Greggity]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Yeah, this is the poetry stuff i remember....

 

[McGarnicle]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Yeah, this is the poetry stuff i remember....

I've never been a poetry guy but that is beautiful IMO.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Yeah, this is the poetry stuff i remember....

Could you explain exactly what about it you find so distasteful?

 

[Greggity]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Yeah, this is the poetry stuff i remember....

Could you explain exactly what about it you find so distasteful?

Its kinda gay is all, Jus sayin...

 

[TobiasFunke]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Yeah, this is the poetry stuff i remember....

Could you explain exactly what about it you find so distasteful?

Its kinda gay is all, Jus sayin...

I see. Well put. Clearly you're a bit of a poet yourself.

 

[Brony]

She was good, just not Chipotle-good.

 

[DiStefano]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

When Margaret Thatcher died, it took you about 2 minutes to post that she was overrated.

 

[Greggity]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Yeah, this is the poetry stuff i remember....

Could you explain exactly what about it you find so distasteful?

Its kinda gay is all, Jus sayin...

I see. Well put. Clearly you're a bit of a poet yourself.

Yes, i suppose i am a bit of one. Not the "the breeze flowing gracefully through the crack of the birds butt" type either....

 

[Insein]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Yeah, this is the poetry stuff i remember....

Could you explain exactly what about it you find so distasteful?

Its kinda gay is all, Jus sayin...

I see. Well put. Clearly you're a bit of a poet yourself.

The man has a way with words.

 

[jdoggydogg]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Yeah, this is the poetry stuff i remember....

Could you explain exactly what about it you find so distasteful?

Its kinda gay is all, Jus sayin...

Are you 12?

 

[Greggity]

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

Yeah, this is the poetry stuff i remember....

Could you explain exactly what about it you find so distasteful?

Its kinda gay is all, Jus sayin...

Are you 12?

Do only 12 year olds dislike poetry? Who knew?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Maya Angelou was a beautiful person who spread joy in this world.

That people want to chime in here with "she was overrated" is really crass and lame.

I would have told you the same thing a week ago. Obviously her passing is sad but I'm not going to pretend her poetry is better than it really is.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Maya Angelou was a beautiful person who spread joy in this world.

That people want to chime in here with "she was overrated" is really crass and lame.

I would have told you the same thing a week ago. Obviously her passing is sad but I'm not going to pretend her poetry is better than it really is.

It's difficult when you are compelled to speak on every topic regardless of context. If only there were some other option ...

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Maya Angelou was a beautiful person who spread joy in this world.

That people want to chime in here with "she was overrated" is really crass and lame.

I would have told you the same thing a week ago. Obviously her passing is sad but I'm not going to pretend her poetry is better than it really is.

It's difficult when you are compelled to speak on every topic regardless of context. If only there were some other option ...

You got me there.

BTW: I just checked to see how many of the threads on the front page I haven't posted in...I stopped counting when I got to 26.

 

[McGarnicle]

Maya Angelou, Poet, Author, Civil Rights Activist, And—Holy Cow—Tony Award–Nominated Actress, College Professor, Magazine Editor, Streetcar Conductor—Really? Streetcar Conductor? Wow—Calypso Singer, Nightclub Performer, And Foreign Journalist, Dead At 86

 

[Fennis]

Maya Angelou, Poet, Author, Civil Rights Activist, And—Holy Cow—Tony Award–Nominated Actress, College Professor, Magazine Editor, Streetcar Conductor—Really? Streetcar Conductor? Wow—Calypso Singer, Nightclub Performer, And Foreign Journalist, Dead At 86

I love those headlines. On mass shootings:

No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens

 

[timschochet]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

When Margaret Thatcher died, it took you about 2 minutes to post that she was overrated.

I don't recall posting that, though I do think she was overrated. I'm betting though, that I know a heck of a lot more about Thatcher than you do about Maya Angelou.

However, Margaret Thatcher was a politician, not a poet. Therefore Thatcher's politics do matter; they're central to her career. Ezra Pound was a crazy anti-Semitic fascist, but I would never say he was overrated as a poet (I honestly don't know.)

 

[DiStefano]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

When Margaret Thatcher died, it took you about 2 minutes to post that she was overrated.

I don't recall posting that, though I do think she was overrated. I'm betting though, that I know a heck of a lot more about Thatcher than you do about Maya Angelou.

However, Margaret Thatcher was a politician, not a poet. Therefore Thatcher's politics do matter; they're central to her career. Ezra Pound was a crazy anti-Semitic fascist, but I would never say he was overrated as a poet (I honestly don't know.)

Oh, I'm sure that's true. But it both cases, it was only an opinion, reacting a little to the adulation. My opinion may have been somewhat influenced by my college professor. I don't recall however, that your opinion received quite the same amount of vitriol that mine received.

 

[McGarnicle]

Margaret Thatcher

Big fan. RIP Iron Lady!!!

 

[Fennis]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

When Margaret Thatcher died, it took you about 2 minutes to post that she was overrated.

I don't recall posting that, though I do think she was overrated. I'm betting though, that I know a heck of a lot more about Thatcher than you do about Maya Angelou.

However, Margaret Thatcher was a politician, not a poet. Therefore Thatcher's politics do matter; they're central to her career. Ezra Pound was a crazy anti-Semitic fascist, but I would never say he was overrated as a poet (I honestly don't know.)

Oh, I'm sure that's true. But it both cases, it was only an opinion, reacting a little to the adulation. My opinion may have been somewhat influenced by my college professor. I don't recall however, that your opinion received quite the same amount of vitriol that mine received.

cmon, most random posts by Tim, reach far greater amounts of vitriol.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

The snake crawls on his belly

But he wants no legs

Wind whispers in the night

Birds they take not flight

Oh great song why do you torment

Those of us in despair

Fish meander in the brook

For they know the sun will come

We are all but mortals

Our days will soon be none

RIP Maya

 

[Freelove]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

When Margaret Thatcher died, it took you about 2 minutes to post that she was overrated.

I don't recall posting that, though I do think she was overrated. I'm betting though, that I know a heck of a lot more about Thatcher than you do about Maya Angelou.

However, Margaret Thatcher was a politician, not a poet. Therefore Thatcher's politics do matter; they're central to her career. Ezra Pound was a crazy anti-Semitic fascist, but I would never say he was overrated as a poet (I honestly don't know.)

Oh, I'm sure that's true. But it both cases, it was only an opinion, reacting a little to the adulation. My opinion may have been somewhat influenced by my college professor. I don't recall however, that your opinion received quite the same amount of vitriol that mine received.

It's a year later, and people are apparently still not over it.

 

[timschochet]

So because most people can't name a single one of her poems, she's overrated? How many poems can most people even name, period? And how many living poets can you think of?

When Margaret Thatcher died, it took you about 2 minutes to post that she was overrated.

I don't recall posting that, though I do think she was overrated. I'm betting though, that I know a heck of a lot more about Thatcher than you do about Maya Angelou.

However, Margaret Thatcher was a politician, not a poet. Therefore Thatcher's politics do matter; they're central to her career. Ezra Pound was a crazy anti-Semitic fascist, but I would never say he was overrated as a poet (I honestly don't know.)

Oh, I'm sure that's true. But it both cases, it was only an opinion, reacting a little to the adulation. My opinion may have been somewhat influenced by my college professor. I don't recall however, that your opinion received quite the same amount of vitriol that mine received.

If I did indeed write that she was overrated immediately following her death, then that would have been in poor taste and I would have deserved criticism for it. As I wrote, I can't remember.

But the other point is most people here are going to be much more aware of the details of Thatcher's life achievements, both good and ill, than we are of anyone who is a poet. Most of us don't read poetry; we judge by reputation. Therefore, if someone here writes either "she was a brilliant poet" or "she was overrated as a poet", both statements are going to be challenged, rightfully so.