Maya Angelou's Tripartite Crossfire: Gender and Race Discrimination in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
Understanding the Tripartite Crossfire
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In "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Angelou describes the tripartite crossfire as a phenomenon that occurs when black people are caught in the crossfire of three distinct and oppressive forces: racism, sexism, and poverty. Angelou explains how these forces intersect to create a complex web of oppression that makes it difficult for black people, and especially black women, to succeed in American society. She writes, "If growing up is painful for the Southern Black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. It is an unnecessary insult" (Chapter 6).
Angelou's description of the tripartite crossfire highlights the ways in which systemic oppression affects individuals and communities. She emphasizes that the experiences of black women are often marginalized and overlooked in discussions of oppression, despite the fact that they are uniquely affected by intersecting forms of discrimination.
1. Masculine Prejudice: The Assault on the Black Female Body
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Maya Angelou (1928-2014)
Maya's encounters with masculine prejudice begin at a young age. In the book, she describes how her father, Bailey Sr, is an attractive and charming man, but a philanderer and a drunkard, leaves Maya and her brother to be raised by their grandmother, and Maya resents him for it. He was absent for most of her childhood, would visit her family on occasion. This neglect hurts her most.
As she grew older, she faced sexism and discrimination from other men in her community. Maya recounts an incident in which she was working as a streetcar conductor and was sexually harassed by a white passenger. Maya felt powerless in the face of this harassment and struggled to find a way to stand up for herself.
One of the most powerful incidents in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is Angelou's account of her rape at the age of eight by her mother's boyfriend, Mr. Freeman. This traumatic experience illustrates the devastating impact of gender-based violence on young Black girls, who are often targeted by predatory men seeking to exert power and control over them. The incident exposes the vulnerability of black girls and women to sexual violence and exploitation, as well as the complicity of a culture that silences and blames the victims. As Angelou puts it, "I had entered the arena of the ungodly, the godly, and the foolish alike."(Chapter 17) The assault not only traumatizes Maya but also shatters her trust in the adults around her, leading her to become withdrawn and mute for years. This experience was traumatic and had a lasting impact on Maya's mental health and self-esteem. Maya felt ashamed and blamed herself for what had happened. She became withdrawn and struggled with feelings of worthlessness and self-hatred. Despite the trauma of the experience, Angelou eventually finds her voice and testifies against Mr. Freeman in court, demonstrating the resilience and strength that are hallmarks of Black women's experiences.
Maya's experience with masculine prejudice extends beyond her family. At her first job as a domestic servant, Maya is sexually harassed by her white employer, Mr. Freeman. She is only thirteen years old at the time, and Mr. Freeman takes advantage of her vulnerability. Maya is deeply traumatized by the experience, and it shapes her understanding of men for the rest of her life.
2. White Illogical Hate: Masculine Prejudice and the Struggle for Self-Expression
Maya experiences white illogical hate throughout her childhood, living in a segregated society where black people are treated as second-class citizens. She attends a segregated school where she is constantly reminded of her inferior status. Maya is not allowed to check out books from the library, and she is forced to sit at the back of the classroom. Maya's grandmother works as a maid for a white family, and Maya witnesses the cruel and racist treatment that her grandmother receives from her employers.
As a black girl growing up in the Jim Crow South, Maya experiences firsthand the pervasive and insidious forms of prejudice that limit her opportunities and aspirations. She encounters white people who see her as a lesser being, black people who internalize the same prejudice, and men who seek to dominate and control her. One such incident involves a school recitation contest in which Maya, who has been selected to represent her school, freezes on stage and runs away in shame after a white judge mocks her African American vernacular English. The incident highlights the double bind that black women face, being expected to conform to white norms of speech and behavior while being punished for doing so.
The most poignant example of white illogical hate in the book occurs when Maya and her brother are sent to live with their mother in St. Louis. Maya's mother runs a gambling operation out of her home, and she is frequently visited by a group of white men. One night, Maya overhears a white man threaten to kill her mother if she does not pay him the money she owes him. Maya is terrified and traumatized by the experience, realizing for the first time that even her own mother is not safe from the violence of white illogical hate.
3. Black Lack of Power: The Struggle for Agency
Another important theme in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is black lack of power. Angelou describes how black people are often disenfranchised and disempowered by a system that privileges whiteness and marginalizes blackness. She writes, "It was awful to be Negro and have no control over my life. It was brutal to be young and already trained to sit quietly and listen to charges brought against my color with no chance of defense. We should all be dead. I thought I should like to see us all dead, one on top of the other.” After relating the story of her struggle to obtain a job as a streetcar conductor Angelou says, “'The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste, and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance.”
Despite the resilience and resourcefulness of black women like Maya, they often face systemic barriers and injustices that limit their agency and self-determination. One such example in the book involves Maya's experience of working as a maid for a white family, where she witnesses firsthand the pervasive racism and classism that structure the relations between black and white people. She also sees how black people are complicit in their own oppression, either by internalizing the white supremacist ideology or by exploiting other black people for their own gain. Maya's struggle to assert her own identity and voice in the face of such powerlessness is a recurring theme in the book.
Conclusion
Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is a powerful and moving testament to the intersectional forms of oppression that black women face, and the resilience and creativity they use to navigate them. The book shows how the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate, and black lack of power shape Maya's character and identity, as well as her determination to assert her own voice and agency. The book reminds us of the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality, and the need to acknowledge and confront the intersectional forms of oppression that continue to affect the lives of marginalized people. Maya Angelou's journey in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Despite the rejection she faces from a segregated society and her own mother's abandonment, Maya rises above it all to overcome her struggles with body image, sexual inadequacy, and self-blame. Her transformation truly begins when she gives birth to her son, Guy, and learns to accept herself and the events that led to her pregnancy. Maya's journey shows that even in the darkest of times, we have the power to take control of our own lives and find freedom through self-expression. Her story is a beacon of hope and inspiration for anyone facing adversity, and a powerful reminder that we are all capable of overcoming our own cages.
FAQ
1.Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings": What does Maya think about her grandmother's religious beliefs? Why is the church so important to Momma?
In "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Maya Angelou portrays her grandmother, whom she calls "Momma," as a deeply religious woman. Maya herself is more skeptical of religion and often questions Momma's beliefs, but she also admires Momma's unwavering faith. Momma sees the church as a source of community and strength, a place where black people can come together and support one another in a world that is often hostile to them. For Momma, the church is not just a place of worship, but a central part of her identity and a way to resist the forces of oppression.
2. Why is the next door neighbor, Mr. McElroy, able to be independent?
In "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Maya Angelou describes the next door neighbor, Mr. McElroy, as a physically disabled man who is able to live independently. Despite his limitations, Mr. McElroy is able to take care of himself and his home with the help of various adaptations, such as a specially designed car and a modified bathroom. Maya speculates that his independence is due in part to his strong will and determination to live life on his own terms, despite the obstacles he faces. Mr. McElroy's example challenges Maya's own assumptions about disability and shows her that physical limitations do not have to prevent someone from living a fulfilling life.
3. What secrets does Maya share with her brother? How does her relationship with her brother develop as they both grow older?
In "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Maya Angelou shares a close relationship with her brother, Bailey. They confide in each other and share secrets, such as their discovery of their father's identity. As they both grow older, their relationship becomes more complex, with Bailey taking on a protective role over Maya. Maya struggles with feeling overshadowed by her brother's accomplishments, but ultimately comes to appreciate and love him even more as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood together. Their bond remains strong even as they go their separate ways later in life.
4.How does Maya respond to the violence in her life and society?
Maya Angelou responds to the violence in her life and society with a mixture of resilience, anger, and a desire for justice. She is deeply affected by the racism and violence she witnesses and experiences, including the sexual assault that she endures as a child. However, she also draws strength from her community and her own sense of self-worth. Maya's writing itself can be seen as a response to the violence she has faced, as she uses her voice to speak out against injustice and to give voice to the experiences of black women. Overall, Maya's response to violence is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both the trauma she has endured and her determination to overcome it.
5.After her rape, why does Maya refuse to talk to anyone but Bailey? Why will she talk to him?
After her rape in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Maya Angelou becomes withdrawn and stops speaking to anyone except her brother, Bailey. Maya trusts Bailey and feels comfortable talking to him about her trauma because they share a close bond and have always been each other's support system. Maya also believes that Bailey is the only one who truly understands what she's going through, as they have both experienced racism and trauma as black children in the American South. Maya's refusal to speak to anyone else reflects her feelings of isolation and distrust in the wake of her assault.
6.What is Maya's reaction when she learns that she is pregnant?
Maya Angelou's reaction to learning that she is pregnant in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is one of shock and fear. She is only 16 years old and knows that having a child at such a young age will greatly limit her opportunities in life. Maya worries about how her family will react and fears that she will be ostracized by her community. She briefly considers abortion but ultimately decides to keep the baby. Maya's pregnancy is a turning point in her life, forcing her to grow up quickly and confront the challenges of adulthood.
Reference
1. Angelou, M. (1999, January 1). I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (H. Bloom, Ed.). Facts On File. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780791047736
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