A major "cage" from Maya Angelou's youth was that she was black in a prejudice southern town. Maya has recounted in her book the times when she was discriminated against. When she was working for a white woman named Mrs. Viola Cullinan, she started calling Margaret, Mary. "That's [Margaret] too long. She's Mary from now on."(pp.91) One of the most important aspects of a person is their name. It is a great insult for someone to change your name, without your consent, just because someone wanted too. If Maya was white Mrs. Cullinan would not have changed her name. She did it only because of her racist friends, and attitudes. Even some of the white s, who supposedly supported her, had hidden their rac

Maya Angelou is not the only person who has cages, everyone has them. My "cage" is something no one can get away from at some point in their life; my young age. Age is a barrier that stops me from doing many things that s can do. Many times I suggest things to my parents, but sometimes they do not respect my opinions. I feel that if I were an my suggestions and opinions would be handled with more respect and have more validity. Many people do not listen to ideas of a young person, thinking that he or she does not understand, or have the maturity to think things through. Many people equate youth with immaturity, which is sometimes, but not always true. This is somewhat similar, but not as severe, as the experience that Maya had with Mr. Donleavy, being caught in a stereotype. Another time that I was held back because of my age is with a certain radio talk show that does not let children call. I had tried to call in but I still could not get on the air with all of my debating with him. This talk show host is segregating children because of a stereotype of children being immature. He is just another that thinks young people are all the same. Age is a problem with its stereotypes and could be a "cage" either being too old or too young.

The second major cage for Maya Angelou was that she has a very strict, religious, and overbearing grandmother. A child's guardian be caring and strict but that guardian should not be overbearing. After coming back fr

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Approximate Word count = 1013
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)