Caged Bird by Maya Angelou

The Evolve team wants to take a moment to address the noise surrounding the racial injustice in our country. As an organization that stands for diversity, equality, and inclusion, we will not tolerate this behavior. To our Black Brothers and Sisters, we hear your cries of pain, and we are so sorry you have had to endure this for so long. We are here with you. We support you. And we love you. We demand justice for George Floyd. We demand justice for all of our brothers and sisters. 

Over the next week, we will be matching each sale with a donation to Black Lives Matter- a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting and overcoming systemic racism. Although this alone will never be enough to heal the pain and hurt, it is where we will start as we continue to do the work within our own communities. Please continue to educate yourselves, your families, and your friends on these issues. The work has only begun. #BlackLivesMatter

 

This week, we have decided to share a poem named "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou. Using the extended metaphor of the two birds, Angelou paints a critical portrait of oppression in which she illuminates the privilege and entitlement of the un-oppressed, and conveys the simultaneous experience of suffering and emotional resilience.

 

 

A free bird leaps

on the back of the wind   

and floats downstream   

till the current ends

and dips his wing

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and   

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

and he names the sky his own

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams   

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream   

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied   

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

 

 

Maya's words provide a slight look inside what it means to have privilege. Please head to our social media platforms to find out how you can support our Black community during this time, and what we will be doing on our end to support the movement as well.