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.