African americans Quote by Maya Angelou
““Jimmy said, "We survived slavery. Think about that. Not because we were strong. The American Indians were strong, and they were on their own land. But they have not survived genocide. You know how we survived?" I said nothing. "We put surviving into our poems and into our songs. We put it into our folk tales. We danced surviving in Congo Square in New Orleans and put it in our pots when we cooked pinto beans. We wore surviving on our backs when we clothed ourselves in the colors of the rainbow. We were pulled down so low we could hardly lift our eyes, so we knew, if we wanted to survive, we had better lift our own spirits. So we laughed whenever we got the chance.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Maya Angelou on resilience, 1990s
Survival is expressed through art, community, and uplifting spirit despite oppression.
In simple terms: Culture preserves survival through music, stories, and joy.
Key Takeaway
Embrace cultural expression to sustain hope.
Themes
resilience
culture
joy
community
identity
Mood
hopeful
defiant
reflective
Type
inspirational
historical
cultural
When to use this quote
- community gatherings
- storytelling
- music festivals
- daily rituals
- cooking traditions
Key Concepts
collective memory
artistic expression
spiritual uplift
historical trauma
cultural resistance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do artistic traditions foster resilience?
- In what ways can joy counteract oppression?
A Different Perspective
Survival narratives can overlook ongoing systemic challenges.
