Angelou is one of my favourite writers and I’ll never tire of this book. I’ve taught it with classes of 16-18 year olds and it brings them such a sense of the potential for hope and courage at a time in their lives when those qualities can be hard to grasp (when aren’t they?!).
I really love how you’ve written about ‘Caged Bird’ - I found it not only beautifully written but deeply moving to be reminded of how are stories matter not just for personal healing but for human connection. Perhaps the two are intertwined?
You might be interested ‘A Song Flung up to Heaven’, the 6th volume of her autobiography, which includes how James Baldwin helped convince her to start writing it initially 😍
Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment! I’m thrilled to hear how I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has resonated so deeply with both you and your students. Stories truly have such a profound way of helping us navigate the challenges we face, and it’s beautiful to hear how Angelou’s work has sparked that sense of hope and courage in young people. And yes, I absolutely agree that healing and human connection are intertwined—our stories are what bind us together, offering both solace and strength.
I’ve heard of A Song Flung Up to Heaven and would love to dive into it! The connection between Baldwin and Angelou is so powerful, and I’m sure it adds a whole new layer to her writing journey. Thank you for sharing that recommendation—I’ll definitely look it up!
I’d love to know what you think of ‘A Song’ - I love it as the adult mirror for the child’s story, and it offers rich insights into that period of black civil rights, showing not only Angelou’s close connections with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, but the Pan-African movement she was involved with, too
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I’m really excited to dive into A Song Flung Up to Heaven. It sounds like such a powerful continuation of Angelou’s journey, especially as a mirror to her earlier story. I love the idea of it offering insights into such an important period of history, and I’m particularly intrigued by her connections to figures like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, as well as the Pan-African movement. I’ll definitely let you know my thoughts once I’ve had a chance to read it! Thanks again for sharing your perspective
Thank you so much for your kind words Ashley. I’m truly humbled by your support and encouragement. It’s amazing to know that my story resonates with you. We all have our own journeys, and it’s empowering to connect with others who understand and appreciate the strength we find in each other. Your message made my day! 😊
Salwa, beautifully written. I remember reading it as a teenager and the profound effect it had on me during my life of trauma. I started journaling as a way to release and heal from the things in my life that held me down. I stopped after fearing they would be found and my story exposed. I've been in awe of those who faced their fears and vulnerabilities and stepped into their healing and calling thereby freeing others to do the same. I'm working up to that in my writing but admit the fear of judgment, rejection, and being labeled and misunderstood is still greater than the desire to be set free and to heal from the traumas of the past. I applaud and thank you for this article and stirring things up in my world. So glad to be on this journey with you.
Kimberly, thank you so much for sharing this with me—it means more than you know. I understand the fear of judgment, rejection, and the vulnerability that comes with telling our stories. It’s so powerful that you started journaling as a way to heal, even if it was difficult to continue. The courage to step into that vulnerability, like you’re doing now, is where the true healing begins. You’re not alone in this journey, and the more we embrace our stories, the more we empower others to do the same. I’m honoured to be a part of your process and I truly believe your voice, when you’re ready to share it, will be a gift to others. Keep going—you’re already making incredible progress.
Thank you Salwa. I'm moving forward one day at a time. I know that each day brings me closer to releasing and letting go so God’s will be done. I so appreciate the support.
Salwa, you beautifully connect storytelling to healing, connection, and legacy. Your engaging style and structured approach make the message clear; our stories matter. Your essay reminds me of a quote from Same as Ever: 'Stories are always more powerful than statistics'.
Thank you so much for your kind words Tinashe, I’m so glad the essay resonated with you. It’s amazing how stories have this unique ability to connect us, heal us, and leave a lasting legacy. The quote you shared from Same as Ever is so powerful—stories truly do hold more weight than statistics. They carry emotion, depth, and meaning in a way numbers simply can’t. Thank you again for sharing that insight, it’s a beautiful reminder of the power stories hold.
How they’re told are often direct representations of where a person is at. Any one story can be told countless ways. We get to decide how our stories are told by first telling them to ourselves and then sharing with others who would like to listen and potentially learn from. Empowering process that can transform tragedy into growth.
Looking forward to reading more of your stories Salwa. Great stuff as always.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment Kyle. You’re absolutely right—the way we tell our stories is a reflection of where we are in life. And it’s empowering to recognise that we have the power to shape and reshape them, turning even the most painful moments into opportunities for growth. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, and I’m excited to continue sharing more with you! Your words really resonate with me, and I appreciate you taking the time to share them. 😊
Wow, what an incredible experience to have met James Baldwin! His ability to intertwine pain and joy is truly a testament to his genius. Baldwin’s work was deeply rooted in his humanity, and he had such a profound way of expressing complex emotions. The way he transformed personal struggle into something universal—connecting us all through shared experiences is nothing short of remarkable. What an honour for you to have witnessed that firsthand. Thank you for sharing this!
Maya Angelou’s legacy is something truly special, and knowing that my words resonated with you in that way is honestly humbling. In the telling, we heal. In the listening, we connect—yes, exactly! The fact that you want to inspire meaningful conversations through your writing already speaks volumes about the impact you’re creating.
Keep going. Your words matter more than you know. ❤️🔥
Love your insight on legacy … what is our collective legacy and the little song we sing out to the world. As a song writer, who has been mired by thoughts of intellectual property and sample clearance, also having a son, this hits. Thanks for your perspective and words
Thank you Miguel Our collective legacy really is like the song we all sing into the world, and every note matters. I can only imagine the complexity of intellectual property when you’re a songwriter—it’s such an interesting intersection of creativity and ownership. I love that you’re reflecting on this through the lens of both your craft and your son. Thank you for sharing that with me, and I’m so glad my words resonated with you!
Angelou is one of my favourite writers and I’ll never tire of this book. I’ve taught it with classes of 16-18 year olds and it brings them such a sense of the potential for hope and courage at a time in their lives when those qualities can be hard to grasp (when aren’t they?!).
I really love how you’ve written about ‘Caged Bird’ - I found it not only beautifully written but deeply moving to be reminded of how are stories matter not just for personal healing but for human connection. Perhaps the two are intertwined?
You might be interested ‘A Song Flung up to Heaven’, the 6th volume of her autobiography, which includes how James Baldwin helped convince her to start writing it initially 😍
Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment! I’m thrilled to hear how I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings has resonated so deeply with both you and your students. Stories truly have such a profound way of helping us navigate the challenges we face, and it’s beautiful to hear how Angelou’s work has sparked that sense of hope and courage in young people. And yes, I absolutely agree that healing and human connection are intertwined—our stories are what bind us together, offering both solace and strength.
I’ve heard of A Song Flung Up to Heaven and would love to dive into it! The connection between Baldwin and Angelou is so powerful, and I’m sure it adds a whole new layer to her writing journey. Thank you for sharing that recommendation—I’ll definitely look it up!
With love,
Salwa
I’d love to know what you think of ‘A Song’ - I love it as the adult mirror for the child’s story, and it offers rich insights into that period of black civil rights, showing not only Angelou’s close connections with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, but the Pan-African movement she was involved with, too
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I’m really excited to dive into A Song Flung Up to Heaven. It sounds like such a powerful continuation of Angelou’s journey, especially as a mirror to her earlier story. I love the idea of it offering insights into such an important period of history, and I’m particularly intrigued by her connections to figures like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, as well as the Pan-African movement. I’ll definitely let you know my thoughts once I’ve had a chance to read it! Thanks again for sharing your perspective
With love,
Salwa
What a beautiful and Empowering strong story. You are a strong Encouraging Woman. I'm in Awe! Had to pick up my Jaw off the floor. 👍👋🏻👋🏻
Thank you so much for your kind words Ashley. I’m truly humbled by your support and encouragement. It’s amazing to know that my story resonates with you. We all have our own journeys, and it’s empowering to connect with others who understand and appreciate the strength we find in each other. Your message made my day! 😊
@Salwa, You are most welcome dear friend.
Salwa, beautifully written. I remember reading it as a teenager and the profound effect it had on me during my life of trauma. I started journaling as a way to release and heal from the things in my life that held me down. I stopped after fearing they would be found and my story exposed. I've been in awe of those who faced their fears and vulnerabilities and stepped into their healing and calling thereby freeing others to do the same. I'm working up to that in my writing but admit the fear of judgment, rejection, and being labeled and misunderstood is still greater than the desire to be set free and to heal from the traumas of the past. I applaud and thank you for this article and stirring things up in my world. So glad to be on this journey with you.
Kimberly, thank you so much for sharing this with me—it means more than you know. I understand the fear of judgment, rejection, and the vulnerability that comes with telling our stories. It’s so powerful that you started journaling as a way to heal, even if it was difficult to continue. The courage to step into that vulnerability, like you’re doing now, is where the true healing begins. You’re not alone in this journey, and the more we embrace our stories, the more we empower others to do the same. I’m honoured to be a part of your process and I truly believe your voice, when you’re ready to share it, will be a gift to others. Keep going—you’re already making incredible progress.
With love,
Salwa.
Thank you Salwa. I'm moving forward one day at a time. I know that each day brings me closer to releasing and letting go so God’s will be done. I so appreciate the support.
Salwa, you beautifully connect storytelling to healing, connection, and legacy. Your engaging style and structured approach make the message clear; our stories matter. Your essay reminds me of a quote from Same as Ever: 'Stories are always more powerful than statistics'.
Thank you so much for your kind words Tinashe, I’m so glad the essay resonated with you. It’s amazing how stories have this unique ability to connect us, heal us, and leave a lasting legacy. The quote you shared from Same as Ever is so powerful—stories truly do hold more weight than statistics. They carry emotion, depth, and meaning in a way numbers simply can’t. Thank you again for sharing that insight, it’s a beautiful reminder of the power stories hold.
The power of stories.
How they’re told are often direct representations of where a person is at. Any one story can be told countless ways. We get to decide how our stories are told by first telling them to ourselves and then sharing with others who would like to listen and potentially learn from. Empowering process that can transform tragedy into growth.
Looking forward to reading more of your stories Salwa. Great stuff as always.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment Kyle. You’re absolutely right—the way we tell our stories is a reflection of where we are in life. And it’s empowering to recognise that we have the power to shape and reshape them, turning even the most painful moments into opportunities for growth. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, and I’m excited to continue sharing more with you! Your words really resonate with me, and I appreciate you taking the time to share them. 😊
Right back at you! Have a great one Salwa
Oooh- i had the honour of meeting Baldwin once upon a time. It was just after he’d lost his partner. How he mingled pain and joy!
Wow, what an incredible experience to have met James Baldwin! His ability to intertwine pain and joy is truly a testament to his genius. Baldwin’s work was deeply rooted in his humanity, and he had such a profound way of expressing complex emotions. The way he transformed personal struggle into something universal—connecting us all through shared experiences is nothing short of remarkable. What an honour for you to have witnessed that firsthand. Thank you for sharing this!
i hope i can leave a legacy as beautiful as Maya Angelou's and yours.✨
"in the telling, we heal. in the listening, we connect"
this is exactly what i want my readers to learn from me and my writing, and take that as an invitation too, to start meaningful conversations.
thank you for this!❤️🔥
That means so much—thank you. ✨
Maya Angelou’s legacy is something truly special, and knowing that my words resonated with you in that way is honestly humbling. In the telling, we heal. In the listening, we connect—yes, exactly! The fact that you want to inspire meaningful conversations through your writing already speaks volumes about the impact you’re creating.
Keep going. Your words matter more than you know. ❤️🔥
awww, that means the world to me! i do hope my words create an impact💘
Hi. You were BORN to write. Just bought the book and will report back 🙏💕
Oh thank you so much Sarah 🙏💕 I’m truly honoured, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it. Hope it resonates with you in all the right ways! 💛
Love your insight on legacy … what is our collective legacy and the little song we sing out to the world. As a song writer, who has been mired by thoughts of intellectual property and sample clearance, also having a son, this hits. Thanks for your perspective and words
Thank you Miguel Our collective legacy really is like the song we all sing into the world, and every note matters. I can only imagine the complexity of intellectual property when you’re a songwriter—it’s such an interesting intersection of creativity and ownership. I love that you’re reflecting on this through the lens of both your craft and your son. Thank you for sharing that with me, and I’m so glad my words resonated with you!
Thanks for sharing! Very inspiring. Keep going.
So good!!
Thank you Sam !