FREE ESSAY ON MAYA ANGELOU....AMERICA A BIT ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES

MAYA ANGELOU....AMERICA A BIT ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES

Maya Angelou acclaimed poet and author wrote a poem entitled "America". The
poem offers words of truth of our country America. The poem begins, " The gold of her
promise, has never been mined." America, promises us that all men are created equal.
The first problem with the promise is we are not all men. The gold of her promise,
address equality. Although it is promised to all in this country, its never delivered,
when
discrimination, of race and gender are still existent.
"Her borders of justice, not clearly defined." We all have our feelings on what
justice is, because circumstances differ when we speak of justice in the terms of
punishment, to compensate for ones wrong doing. Yet, the borders of justice are not one
size fits all. Its a well know fact that our prisons are highly populated with the Black
race.
Its, not that the black race commit more crimes but they are more severely punished for
the crimes they commit. Money is power, and its proved often in the courts. Those who
have money can afford expensive attorneys unlike the common folk. This line in the
poem also address the fact that justice is for some, not all. 
" Her crops of abundance, the fruit and the grain, have not feed the hungry nor
eased that deep pain." To take this literally our country has a surplus of food, that no
man, woman or child should go hungry, yet they do. This line not only addresses actual
food, it address the fact that this is an country is abundant in resources yet these
abundant
resources of opportunity have not been offered to all. Our country has also never
acknowledged the error of our ways. The people we have hurt, and destroyed such as the
Native, and African Americans. Instead with give those in poverty minimal assistance to
sustain and oppresses instead of aid to progress.
" Her proud declarations, are leaves on the wind." We are a proud country, America,
Blah-Blah-Blah we are superior. We are in fact ethnocentric crooks. The declarations of
this country amount to some smoke up someone's ass. A whole loot Blah.
" Her southern exposure, black death did befriend." This line speaks of the tragedy of
slavery in the south. Many, physically died from slavery, yet more where made to die
outwardly and all of their being had to be repressed.
" Discover this country, dead centuries cry." We must not forget our history, and the
history we must learn is that which is not explicated in our mainstream history texts.
To
consider how this country was founded, on blood, turns my stomach. We must realize, "
Things are not as they appear." We must address our countries history, because the pain
we have cause entire races, and genders should not be repeated, they must be
acknowledged.
" Erect noble tablets, where none can decry." Although some would like to deny it
there is proof that such suffering took place, is just must be sought out.
" She kills her bright future, and rapes for a sou. Then entraps her children with
legends untrue." Our country could have a bright future, if we included all in this
process. Instead of the select elite were chosen simply because they were born to be
elite.
Millions have pillaged to our country to seek out a better life for themselves. This is
said
to be a country where dreams come true through hard work, but hard work doesn't always
pay off. What pays is what class you were born to. Our country entraps her children with
legends that all can have the American Dream. That all can have riches or all can have
food and clothing yet we all can't. " This country I believe Abe Lincoln said was, " For
the People by the People." However I must interpret that for what its worth, "This
country is for some people, by ...hmmm - some people."
Maya Angelou closes her poem by saying, " I beg you, discover this country."