Maya Angelou and the Inauguration
Did anyone else see Maya Angelou on CNN reciting a poem called, "We Rise"? Here is a link: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2008/11/08/angelou.poem.lkl.cnn
It made me hope that President-Elect Obama (I could type that a hundred times, it looks so nice!) will invite her to present a poem at the Inauguration. Angelou has such a way of making simple words say something powerful that she would be a perfect addition to what will already be a remarkable event.
I know that Robert Frost participated in the Kennedy Inaugural (though I seem to remember that his prepared poem blew away or something and he recited something from memory?) but I don't recall if that is normal procedure at an Inauguration. Anyone else remember?
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I understand that every President has an 'offical chosen poet'. She referenced that in her CNN appearance too. Obama hasn't yet made his choice known (larger issues taking up time).
Ms. Maya would be excellent choice (also make Oprah very happy)!
November 9, 2008 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ms Angelou read her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.
Thought you would like to know....
Nick
November 9, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really, bizzarro funny to read this suggestion as if it's a new idea. Really makes me feel old. Sheesh, we've been there done that! It's like it's ancient history that they youngin's know nothing about? Angelou was invited to do a poem for the Clinton inauguration by the Clintons, because she's an old friend of the Clintons, and they admire her. It was a big deal when it happened, it was what made Maya Angelou nationally known.
Also, in supporting Hillary in the primary (not Obama,) she wrote a poem for her:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jan/20/usa.poetry
(I saw her interviewed on one of the cable news networks much later in the primary. She was asked if she wanted to see an Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket. She said that would be her dream.)
If Angelou offers, it would be hard to turn her down, but if not, it would really be silly for Obama to be asking to repeat that which the Clinton's did, as if he was trying to recreate the Clinton inauguration, not a good idea at all. He should have his own theme, not recreating Clinton's.
November 9, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
P.S. Ancient history?
November 9, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had the great pleasure of being seated next to Maya Angelou for my birthday dinner about 3 years ago. We. Were. Awestruck. Amazing woman and such a powerful voice. We were debating whether to say hello and let her know how much we enjoyed her work, when she let out a booming "GOOD EVENING." We chatted away with her until her guests arrived. She was so gracious, wished me a happy birthday and then wrote me an impromptu birthday poem (ok, maybe that's a bit of overexaggeration). I was amazed however at how many people tapped us on the shoulder to ask who she was. She's a national treasure.
As as Obama doesn't choose will.i.am for the Presidential poem, I'm cool with it.
November 10, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
It should be Kanye. He can do his "George Bush doesn't like black people" rap. That was one of my favorite moments ever on live TV. Finally someone stood up and spoke the truth.
November 10, 2008 6:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed, it is Ms. Angelou's velvet voice that electrifies her written word. Her cadence, rhythm, and tone vivify anything she speaks. She could read the classifieds and make them sound magnificent.
She may not pen Shakespearean sonnets, but I wouldn't knock her artistry in any way; she lives a poem and brings an audience along for the ride. It's an absolute wonder to hear her deliver the goods.
I've heard that Dylan Thomas could move listeners in much the same way. Not bad company.
November 10, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about Dylan? The Bob one, not the dead one.
November 9, 2008 11:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
If it's Dylan, we're going to need subtitles.
November 10, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
That Dylan is a Republican. The other one's dead.
November 10, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
June 5th. Asked about his views on American politics, Dylan said: "Well, you know right now America is in a state of upheaval. Poverty is demoralising. You can't expect people to have the virtue of purity when they are poor."
"But we've got this guy out there now who is redefining the nature of politics from the ground up... Barack Obama."
"He's redefining what a politician is, so we'll have to see how things play out. Am I hopeful? Yes, I'm hopeful that things might change. Some things are going to have to."
Cryptic. But not soooo Republican.
November 10, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope Obama does not choose Angelou. She's too associated with the Clinton inauguration and, in fact, filmed a commercial for Hillary over Obama during the primary season. That alone shouldn't disqualify her, but I think it is useful background.
Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a moving, important book. But she's a terrible poet, really terrible. She's got little sense of the line and her imagery is pedestrian. She's more of a literary personality than a serious writer. The poems are expressive of her experience, but they lack art.
How about one of these venerables -- Rita Dove, Michael Harper, Martin Espada, Yusef Komunyakaa? How about someone younger like Natasha Trethewey, Sherman Alexie or Elizabeth Alexander? (Tracy K. Smith would be great for perhaps the 2nd inaugural. She's still very young.)
Any of these poets would be change we could believe in, but Maya Angelou . . . please no.
November 10, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I concur. Angelou had her moment and I remember at the time thinking that it was cool that she was up there - cool that she was a poet and that she was black and that she was a woman - that was all good - but I was not impressed by what she had written. I found it overly busy and unsatisfying and uninspiring.
If the objective is to have an African-American poet there is Jay Wright or Cyrus Cassels or Rita Dove. There is Derek Walcott, emigrant from Trinidad, lives in Boston, Nobel prize winning, stunning poet.
There are many fine poets to choose from.
November 10, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Holy shit. The only stuff I've read by Maya Angelou was her Hallmark cards series. I always thought she was just a dotty old lady. Man, was I wrong.
Jesus. That's writin'.
November 10, 2008 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really hope you're not serious. And if you are, please read her entire collection as soon as possible. Try to find a recording of her reading her own poetry as well. She has the most amazing voice. I had the great fortune to have her as my commencement speaker once upon a time. She was amazing.
November 10, 2008 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope Obama chooses a hologram.
November 11, 2008 2:55 AM | Reply | Permalink