Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Annie Johnson in 1928, was an African-American poet, singer, actress, writer, director, producer, composer, and civil rights activist. This first book of Angelou's seven-part autobiography covers her childhood and adolescence, up to the age of seventeen.
Angelou had a turbulent childhood, beginning with her parents' divorce when she was three years old. At that time, Marguerite and her beloved four-year-old brother Bailey were sent from their father's home in California to Stamps, Arkansas, to live with their paternal grandmother Annie Henderson.
Little Marguerite Annie Johnson
Map showing Stamps, Arkansas
Stamps was a southern town, and Angelou notes, "In Stamps the segregation was so complete that most black children didn't really, absolutely know what whites looked like." Unfortunately, Marguerite's limited interaction with the racist white population made an everlasting impression on her.
Marguerite and Bailey's grandmother, whom the children called Momma, was an entrepreneur. She owned a plot of land and lived in her shop, called The Store, which sold food and candy to the Negro population of Stamps.
Momma was strict, and Marguerite and Bailey were expected to go to school, do their homework, finish their chores, and help in The Store before going out to play or perusing their books. The children were avid readers who knew their multiplication tables by heart thanks to crippled Uncle Willie - who tested them regularly. Marguerite's favorite treats from the shop were foil covered chocolate kisses and canned pineapple - which was a very rare treat.
Momma was a devout Christian who prayed each morning and took the children to Church every Sunday. In addition, Momma periodically hosted Reverend Howard Thomas (Elder Thomas) who presided over the local church district. Elder Thomas visited Stamps every few months, and ate and slept at Momma's house. Marguerite and Bailey disliked the man because he was big and pompous and prayed so long over breakfast that the food became cold and congealed.
Marguerite became anxious when she had an errand in the white part of town because she was frightened of whites - who disdained and mistreated Negroes. This impudent attitude even extended to white trash youngsters, who - when they bought snacks in Momma's Store - were rude and insolent. Once, when a few shabby, grime-covered little white girls made fun of Momma, Marguerite was reduced to tears.
Stamps was especially dangerous for black men, who were in constant danger of being lynched.
When a 'friendly sheriff' came by to warn Momma that a group of white men was looking for a black troublemaker, Grandmother hid disabled Uncle Willie deep under the produce in a vegetable bin. It was good that the white men didn't come by, because Uncle Willie moaned loudly all night.
All this prejudice and hatred had a profound impact on young Marguerite, who sometimes fantasized that she was a pretty white girl with silky blonde hair.
When Marguerite was eight, her father came to get her and Bailey, and brought them to their mother Vivian in St. Louis, Missouri. Marguerite didn't want to go, but upon arrival was charmed by her beautiful vivacious 'Mother Dear.' Unlike Momma, Vivian smoked, laughed, joked, danced, and made parties.
Vivian Baxter (Maya Angelou's mother)
Young Marguerite, who had nightmares, would sometimes sleep with Vivian and her boyfriend Mr. Freeman. Unfortunately - when Vivian left for work - Mr. Freeman would touch Marguerite inappropriately.....and he eventually raped her. Mr. Freeman threatened 8-year-old Marguerite with dire consequences if she told anyone, so the terrified child kept mum.
Marguerite at age nine
Vivian found out anyway, which resulted in an arrest, a trial, and EXTREME vigilante justice by Marguerite's uncles. Afterwards, Marguerite and Bailey were sent back to Stamps, but the girl was so freaked out - thinking her testimony had led to Mr. Freeman's death - that she stopped speaking for several years.
It took finesse - and books - from a caring educator called Mrs. Bertha Flowers to get Marguerite talking again, and perhaps to foster the girl's interest in a literary career.
Before leaving Stamps for good Marguerite had another unpleasant encounter with a white person. Marguerite's habit of sneaking candy bars from Momma's store resulted in horrific tooth decay and an excruciating toothache - so bad that Marguerite hoped the house would collapse on her jaw.
There was no black dentist in Stamps, so Momma took Marguerite to the white dentist, Dr. Lincoln - who had borrowed money from Grandmother during the Depression. Dr. Lincoln didn't even look at the suffering child, and told Momma, "I'd rather stick my hand in a dog's mouth than in a n*****r's." Grandmother then shamed 10 dollars of "interest" out of the nasty man, and took Marguerite to a Negro dentist in Texarkana.
A few years later, after teenage Bailey was horrified by the bloated body of a Negro killed by whites, Momma decided the children had to leave Stamps for good. Grandmother made sure the children got settled with their mother in San Francisco, where glamorous Vivian ran gambling clubs, hung out with a wild crowd, and lived with her beau (and later husband) Daddy Clidell. Unlike Mr. Freeman, Daddy Clidell was a fine man who was good to Marguerite.
Marguerite continued attending school and - at 15 years of age - became the first black conductress on the streetcars of San Francisco. To get the job, Marguerite claimed to be 19 and lobbied hard for weeks, showing the mettle that served her so well in life.
Conductress Marguerite
Afterwards, during a summer visit with her father Bailey Sr. and his girlfriend Dolores in southern California, Marguerite had a wild adventure in Mexico. Marguerite and her dad went across the border to 'buy tortillas' and - after a raucous night of drinking and philandering - Bailey Sr. was completely knocked out. Marguerite loaded him into the back seat of their car, and - though she'd never driven before - transported Bailey Sr. 50 miles down the mountain before she had a minor accident.
This incident was followed by a physical altercation with Dad's jealous girlfriend Dolores, who cut Marguerite badly. Teenage Marguerite then ran away and lived on the streets of southern California for a month, where she made friends with other homeless kids and slept in junkyard cars. Finally, Marguerite returned to San Francisco to continue school.
Meanwhile Bailey Jr. - observing his mother's unconventional lifestyle and feeling jealous of her zoot-suited friends - started acting out. He became surly, took up with an old prostitute, and acted like he was a big man - though he was only 17. This got Bailey Jr. thrown out of the house.....much to Marguerite's dismay.
Man wearing a zoot suit
Lack of proper sex education left Marguerite confused about her sexuality, and physical changes in her vagina made the girl think she might be 'becoming a lesbian.' To put the matter to rest, 16-year-old Marguerite seduced a handsome young neighbor boy....and promptly became pregnant.
Marguerite's mom Vivian, busy working - and opening a club in Alaska - noticed nothing until the girl was very far along. When Vivian finally learned of her daughter's pregnancy, she stepped up and became a solicitous and helpful grandma. The birth of Marguerite's son ends the book.
There are many additional scenes and people in the autobiography, including young Marguerite's best friend Louise; pre-teen Bailey Jr.'s first girlfriend Joyce (a 'loose' gal); sketches from the Depression; Marguerite's proud 8th grade graduation; and much more. All this gives us a good feel for the children's early years. Sadly, Marguerite and her brother were damaged by their parents' casual neglect, and made to feel inferior by blatant white bigotry. This deeply affected Marguerite for her entire life.
Rating: 4 stars
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