Maya Angelou had a skill for empowering the world with her expertise in both writing and speech. Karin Kamp of The Story Exchange wrote an article based on a television interview she had with Angelou a few years ago. In the interview, Angelou discussed the development of courage and empowerment.
According to Angelou, the first thing to know about courage is that it is “developed,” “you’re not born with courage,” Angelou tells PBS.
So how do we “develop” courage when our society is so used to seeing born-to-be-brave heroes bracing our television and movie screens?
Angelou compares courage to a muscle-something you have to train. “One way to develop courage is to not entertain company who debase you. Don’t laugh at someone who is laughing at you…Take offense.”
If someone starts name-calling or belittling you-leave. “You don’t need to say why you’re leaving — say you’re on your way to Bangkok or something.”
Angelou advises that we should build courage by doing things that make us proud of who we are, “If you want to read, take the time to do so. If you want to learn a new language, get a book or audio cassette to help you.” In a society where social media begs us to both tell and show the world the things we’re doing every minute, Angelou says that “no one has to know or see what you’re doing [when you are finally doing those things you’ve wanted to do for yourself].”
That’s how empowerment happens, “through small victories,” said Angelou.
A summary of an article by Karin Kamp: Maya Angelou's Advice to Young Women
Jenna Coombs
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