Maya Angelou Adversity

The German philosopher Nietzsche once said, “That which does not kill us, make us stronger”, and in many instances this is exactly the case. In most every instance of tragedy or hardship, the people affected must either yield to or rise above their situation, and in rising above, develop or display extraordinary and exemplary traits uniquely fitted to dealing with that situation. As a result, without adversity, these talents would be left unused. There are instances in which people crack under the pressure or sink to the expectations of their situation, but, depending on the character of the person involved, they may take the situation and use it to better themselves. It is a unique opportunity to utilize or develop traits that often remain

Maya Angelou, as a young, black woman with no excess of money, was part of perhaps the most challenged group of people and she was able to blossom and grow even within those conditions. Despite, or perhaps as a result of, her struggles, she was able to see the good in her life and in people and hold her own against the constant discrimination that could have crippled someone else and left them bitter. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou shares the various adversities she faced throughout her life and how she overcame each and every one. Through positive role models like her momma, the glamorous Mrs. Bertha Flowers who gave her “lessons in living” (Angelou 98), her beloved brother, and various others, as well as books which were her constant companion throughout life, she too was able to see past her own conditions and become a better person. Her experiences only served to thicken her skin and instill in her a sense of empathy, determination and an understanding of the world around her. After being told she could not have a certain job as a result of her race, she traveled , “from disappointment….to haughty indignation, and finally to that state of stubbornness where the mind is locked like the jaws of an enraged bulldog” (Angelou 265). She eventually got the job.

The author of The Autistic Brain, Temple Grandin, a person living with autism herself, has made the absolute best of her situation and aims to help others do the same. Grandin is afforded a “ unique position to speak about both [her] experiences with autism and the insights [she] has gained from undergoing numerous brain scans over the decades…” (Grandin vii). Grandin’s skill at her occupation is also a benefit of autism, as she has a unique ability to visualize things, such as blueprints required for her job. She has reached a level of success that many do not and all by taking what seems to most like a disadvantage and figuring out how to turn it into an advantage. She would not have had nearly as great an understanding of autism, nor would the world, perhaps, if she herself did not have it and through that she has helped many people to better understand their brains and make the most of them. In Grandin’s case, her personal obstacle only served to strengthen her and develop her