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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
“Every moment in Ghana called attention to itself and each social affair was self conscious. When I went dancing, between the beats and during the steps, I thought, ‘Here I am, Maya Angelou, dancing in Africa. I know I’m having a good time.’ Shopping in the crowded streets I thought, ‘This is me at last, really me, buying peppers in Makola market aren’t I lucky?’”
I read this book while I too, am in Accra, and although for many reasons my experience is different, I related to her writing, the descriptions of food, cloth and smell, the feelings that she so beautifully put into words. I finished it in the courtyard of my own home in Ghana, as she spoke about what she missed about home, her family, her friends and realized I, as well, miss home
I read this book while I too, am in Accra, and although for many reasons my experience is different, I related to her writing, the descriptions of food, cloth and smell, the feelings that she so beautifully put into words. I finished it in the courtyard of my own home in Ghana, as she spoke about what she missed about home, her family, her friends and realized I, as well, miss home
“He said, ‘This is not their place. In time they will pass. Ghana was here when they came. When they go, Ghana will be here. They are like mice on an elephant’s back. They will pass.’”
The reflections Maya suggests and requires are masterfully done, especially the ones on identity and belonging.
I could not hold my tears after reading the last pages of this book, it is so heartbreaking and hopeful and beautiful and enraging.
This book is an African-American ode to Ghana and to Africa, and I am forever thankful to have read it through Maya’s eyes.
The reflections Maya suggests and requires are masterfully done, especially the ones on identity and belonging.
I could not hold my tears after reading the last pages of this book, it is so heartbreaking and hopeful and beautiful and enraging.
This book is an African-American ode to Ghana and to Africa, and I am forever thankful to have read it through Maya’s eyes.
I think Maya Angelou may have had more marriage proposals in her life than I have functioning brain cells
A really good look into Maya Angelou's time in Ghana with what it means to be a Black American in Africa. As a half Nigerian-half Black American, I could relate to a lot of the different parts of this book.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
The last time we left Maya Angelou’s autobiography she was living in Ghana, having left her African husband, and she was tending to her son who was in hospital after a car accident with a broken neck. This book deals further with Angelou’s complicated relationship with Africa as an African American person.
http://www.50ayear.com/2015/05/01/15-all-gods-children-need-travelling-shoes-by-maya-angelou/
http://www.50ayear.com/2015/05/01/15-all-gods-children-need-travelling-shoes-by-maya-angelou/
While I have read some of her poetry (and really enjoyed it - honestly who is not moved from Still I Rise?) But this is the first of her biographies I have read.
I am surprised by her arrogance. She goes to Ghana, she lives there, she is angry that she is not getting paid multiple times more then Ghanaian people, angry that she is not given a car, and a home just for being American. She admits multiple times that she has no college degree (a requirement for jobs she feels she wants), she doggedly refuses to learn to type, she has no qualifications, but still she feels she deserves to profit and live fat off the country, while the people of Ghana do not.
She meets a powerful man - a Chieftain - who invites her into his home and she berates his child because she does not address her properly, with enough respect.
She goes to Germany, and drags a Jewish man into a dangerous and unkind situation, which she later feels bad about, but is another example of her selfishness and her ability to think of no ones safety or comfort but her own.
When she leaves she says "It seemed that I had gotten all Africa had to give me" but not once does she justify herself being there. Not once does she tell us what she has brought back to Africa.
Her writing is beautiful, and this is a very quick, one day, read. I can see why people especially Americans like the book. I just found many talking points hard to take. I do think that there is important information in the book. The way that Blacks were (and are) treated in the US, and how you can go searching for a home, somewhere to feel safe and comfortable, and how hard that can be. In comparison I enjoyed Langston Hughes' I Wonder as I Wander much more staisfying as a travel book of the time, even if it is a bit earlier.
I am surprised by her arrogance. She goes to Ghana, she lives there, she is angry that she is not getting paid multiple times more then Ghanaian people, angry that she is not given a car, and a home just for being American. She admits multiple times that she has no college degree (a requirement for jobs she feels she wants), she doggedly refuses to learn to type, she has no qualifications, but still she feels she deserves to profit and live fat off the country, while the people of Ghana do not.
She meets a powerful man - a Chieftain - who invites her into his home and she berates his child because she does not address her properly, with enough respect.
She goes to Germany, and drags a Jewish man into a dangerous and unkind situation, which she later feels bad about, but is another example of her selfishness and her ability to think of no ones safety or comfort but her own.
When she leaves she says "It seemed that I had gotten all Africa had to give me" but not once does she justify herself being there. Not once does she tell us what she has brought back to Africa.
Her writing is beautiful, and this is a very quick, one day, read. I can see why people especially Americans like the book. I just found many talking points hard to take. I do think that there is important information in the book. The way that Blacks were (and are) treated in the US, and how you can go searching for a home, somewhere to feel safe and comfortable, and how hard that can be. In comparison I enjoyed Langston Hughes' I Wonder as I Wander much more staisfying as a travel book of the time, even if it is a bit earlier.
Maya Angelou could write about anything and I'd be captivated. I decided to read this "section" of her life's work/autobiography while traveling through Africa. It was interesting to learn about her life at a tumultuous time in US race relations and how being in Africa made sense but also created so much room for thought. Her writing is beautiful and she has this unmatched ability to make the most poignant points with so few words.
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
i hadn't read anything by maya angelou until this book, and it made me want to read more. she writes so well, and her strong, feisty, spirit truly shines in her voice. the book chronicles her time in ghana and i liked hearing about her identity struggles and actual events that happened during her time there, as she navigated between her black american identity and her identity as a resident of ghana - what to change and what to adapt.
it was a privilege to hear of her numerous conversations with expats while living in africa and their own stories about their experiences, particularly of her encounters with malcolm x. the book is a fast read and i imagine it's the first of many of her books i'll pick up.
it was a privilege to hear of her numerous conversations with expats while living in africa and their own stories about their experiences, particularly of her encounters with malcolm x. the book is a fast read and i imagine it's the first of many of her books i'll pick up.