"Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story to is so important. It says: 'I was here. I may be sold tomorrow. But you know I was here.'"
Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She is best known for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and for her autobiographical writing. Her work and public voice made her one of the most influential literary figures of her generation.