The Ohio State University
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Young Scholars Program
Summer Academy July 2014
Still I Rise
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permission in writing from The Ohio State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion Young Scholars Program.
Cover Design by: Megan Bugg, Diva Colter, Heather Cook, Delshawn Davis, Brittany Eubanks, Mei Ji He Ho Feng,
Shaunteya Holmes, Caullin Keith, Kenia Lander, Erinn Leach, Stephon Mosley, Daijah Peterman, Briana Rivera,
E’mari Zurko-Richardson, Latasia Robinson, Shaunece Sanders, Briana Spikes, Kamran Ukhtiyayev, Nautica Vance,
Joseph Weinmann, Saraghnda Williams, and Anthony Zheng.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Hale Hall
th
154 West 12 Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210-1302
614-292-4355 Phone
614-292-0224 Fax
odi.osu.edu
July 17, 2014
Dear YSP Summer Academy Cohort::
On behalf of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, I want to thank you for your responses
to this year’s academy theme, Still I Rise. That the 2014 Samuel DuBois Cook Academy has
chosen to honor African American poet-activist, author and cultural giant, Maya Angelou,
is timely and empowering. From her poetry to her prose, Maya demonstrated a keen
understanding of the importance of self-determination and self-definition. Having read her
autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, you know that she faced many
challenges in her life, but strong and sassy, she used her talents to free herself from the
entrapments of a troubled youth and became one of the most celebrated authors in our
nation’s history. Her journey demonstrates the strength and resilience of those who are
determined to “rise.”
Our goal in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is to show you the expansiveness of the
possibilities before you and then encourage you to rise to your potential, rise to meet any
challenge that lies before you, and rise above any circumstances that may threaten to impede
your success.
In the pages that follow, you play upon the poem, “And Still I Rise,” to describe your own
interpretations, experiences, and dreams. May you always remember how this poem
encouraged your academic progress during the 2014 YSP Samuel DuBois Cook Academy.
Sincerely,
Valerie B. Lee, PhD
Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Vice President for Outreach and Engagement
Professor of English
In 1988, The Ohio State University established the Young Scholars Program (YSP) to annually
identify and serve hundreds of academically talented first-generation college students from
economically challenged backgrounds in the largest urban school districts in Ohio. YSP serves the
needs of young people by preparing them for the academic rigors of Ohio State and a fast-paced global
economy. Through its rich history, YSP stands firmly committed to advancing the academic and
personal opportunities of aspiring first-generation college students.
This anthology is a collection of poems and prose from the 2014 Young Scholars Program’s Samuel
DuBois Cook Summer Academy. The selections within this book play on Maya Angelou’s classic
poem, “Still I Rise.” Through its pages, our scholars illuminate the individual and collective
challenges and triumphs around them, helping everyone to understand and appreciate the necessity of
YSP In a society in which young people are often ridiculed for expressing themselves, our scholars use
their collective voices to proclaim their power as scholars and future change-makers by expressing
words that are often unspoken, expressing feelings that are often concealed, and expressing dreams
that can now be realized. As debates over college access inundate public discourse and media, YSP
resolves to advance diversity through academic excellence. It is through this collection that we seek to
inspire present and future generations to rise to their academic and personal potential.
Dr. Tina D. Pierce
Assistant Director for the Young Scholars Program
Editor’s Note
It is with a deep sense of pride in this year’s Samuel DuBois Cook Summer Academy
students that I introduce the Young Scholars Program Still I Rise Anthology. Before the
students arrived for this year’s Summer Academy, Dr. Tina Pierce requested that each
student reflect on and respond to Dr. Maya Angelou’s poem Still I Rise with a poem or essay
of his or her own. The students’ submissions were overwhelming. Each one responded to
Angelou’s key message of self-definition and rising beyond difficulties in ways that reflected
their own individual experiences and powerful voices.
Selecting only twenty submissions for this anthology was thus wonderfully challenging. Dr.
Tamara Butler, Anastasia Martinez, and I read the over ninety submissions, all of which
impressed us with their strength and confidence, and chose the poetry and prose that
articulated personal strength, resiliency, and self-possession with the most literary merit.
The students whose works were selected then met with me in an Advanced Writing
Workshop to fine-tune their poetry and prose.
Rachel M. Waymel, M.A.
Writing Instructor
YSP Summer Academy
PhD Candidate
English Department
The Ohio State University
Table of Contents
Poetry
“No One Can Stop Me!!!” by Briana’ Spikes (Cincinnati)…………………………………..………...…1
“Free” by Esther Concepcion (Cleveland)…………………………………………………..………………..…2
“I Am Who I Am” by Margan Harris (Cincinnati)…………………………………..……………..……..3
“Rising” by Shaunteya Holmes (Cincinnati)……………………………………………………..……….….4
“He Overcame” by Ke’Von Huguely (Dayton)………………………………………………..……..……..6
“With An Effort” by Nadia Musleh (Cleveland)……………………………………………………………..7
“Let My Colors Speak For Me” by Brooke Hobbs (Dayton)………………………………...………….8
“The Race Horse’s Blinders” by Nadiem Musleh (Cleveland)…………………………..….….………9
“A Changing Tune” by Kamran Ukhtiyayev (Dayton)…………………………………..……….……..10
“Her Words Made Me Rise” by Taylor Bostic (Lorain)………………………………..……..…..……..11
“Still I Rise” by Del’Shawn Davis (Dayton)……………………………………………..…………..……….12
“Are You Surprised?” by Destiny Stout (Cleveland)……………………………..………….……….……13
“Without Regrets” by Heather Cook (Columbus)……………………………………………………….….14
“I’ll Rise” by Amer Hassan (Toledo)………………………………………………………………………………15
Prose
“Still I Rise” by Allison Mayfield-Brown (Dayton)………………………………………………..……….17
“The Boy Who Once Stuttered and Stumbled” by Angel D. Figueroa (Cleveland)……………19
“‘Still I Rise’ Response” by Huyen Truong (Columbus)…………………………………………….……20
“Rising to the Occasion” by Evelisse Weeks (Lorain)………………………….………………………..…22
“Still I Rise” by Rico Stallworth (Cincinnati)…………………………………………………...…………….23
“Still We Rise” by Juan Davis (Youngstown)….……………………………………………………………..24
Poetry
No One Can Stop Me!!!
Briana' Spikes
Cincinnati, OH
Even though my life has pain
I am striving
Only happiness to gain
Does my success offend you?
You wish to see tears in my eyes?
Why are you jealous of me?
(I Don't Care)
Still I Rise
A father figure was inconsistent,
Mama didn’t listen to my cries.
She did what she could
Now I understood
We were both broken
Still I Rise.
Do my curves frustrate you?
Does my humble confidence cause
confusion?
That fact that you believe your hatred will
stop my success
Is a total and complete delusion
My accomplishments are inevitable
I may not be the beauty that you seek
But my intelligence shines through
Without question I am Gorgeous at its
peak
Like the sun rises in the morn
Like the moon does at night
I Rise
When I walk by I hear your trash talk
You try to annoy me with all your sighs
I keep my head up
Continue my strut
Save face---Still I Rise
Like the birds 'n bees in summer
As high as the big blue sky
I Rise
No One Can Stop Me!!!
I Rise
I Rise
I Rise
I Rise
Does my big Kool-Aid smile bother you?
Does the pep in my step offend?
You rush to stab my back.
To be my bestest friend you pretend
1
Free
Esther Concepcion
Cleveland, OH
Like wings, your lies covered me
Claws of despair sunk upon my face
Drunkenly, I began to fall for your deceits
Injecting in me the happiness that appeared to be
Deliberately, I started to fall for you
Sober I became, and tried to run
Though from the claws I could not escape
Time ticked and years passed
Of the drugs, I could not set myself free
Slowly, I became the person I did not want to be
Older I am, and less naive
Again, sober I become and run
This time I survive; I am able to escape
From your wings I break loose
I fall once, but this time I fly; I am free
2
I Am Who I Am
Margan Harris
Cincinnati, OH
I'm from racing in the streets,
From falling off bikes every day.
From feet and destination,
Walking anywhere the wind blows.
Striving for success.
Obtaining everything I never had.
Never giving up and never looking back.
Still I rise.
From going home,
soon as the streetlights came on.
From going on a new adventure
Tearing off heads of cicadas
And catching lighting bugs
Running away from my past.
Living in the present.
Where disrespecting the dead became a
new Cincinnati "theme."
Where there’s more prom pictures than
graduation photos.
Where females thinks it's ok to wear such
revealing clothes.
Still I rise.
From summer all-nighters,
egging houses and tp-ing homes.
From walking to Krogers,
carrying a honey bun back each trip.
From fighting boys,
to Climbing trees.
Playing football.
From being a tom boy.
Where more teens are catching bodies
than catching an education.
Where more teens are being sent off to the
grave,
to end their journey,
rather than sent off college,
to further their knowledge.
Still I rise.
But still I rise.
From walking up hills to get to school.
To catching the route to get to Hughes.
From B’s C’s and D’s in elementary.
To straight A’s in high school.
From always wanting more.
From having almost nothing.
Still I rise.
Chasing a bright future with open hands.
Not stopping until I obtain everything I
want.
It’s all in my grasp.
Still I rise.
3
Rising
Shaunteya Holmes
Cincinnati, OH
You may think you've won but that will never
be the case I'm still smiling with the grace of God on my face
Although you make a tear appear down my face
Even when you're cheering for my
mistakes.
Enjoying this like you're my God that controls my fate
You treated my trust like it was dust and blew it away but to late I
rose
Oh yes I know even you couldn't
have known
how blessed and impressed You could be
just from looking at my footsteps
Do you think I care when you glare no matter how much you try
you could never be such a rare find when all you do is cry
And whine just because I'm so live
Honestly why don't you step aside
Because it’s so tough that you can never be a diamond in
the rough and still I shine.
Don't be upset how could you have
known
I would have bloomed.
when you still can't get that my realness is legit
Speaking my name itself is a taboo for you who is nothing but a fool
I rise.
"If you wanna be somebody and you wanna go
somewhere you better wake up and pay
attention" you’re being left because just like the
sun I rise
You ridiculed, you showed me attitude?
you used me as a scapegoat for your reality?
Yet I forgave you because you just didn't know
how much pain that wasn't seen
4
I will forever use these long legs to step
forward and keep my head facing forward
Why you say because it’s my time to shine and
turning to you would be a waste of my time
Because I Rise
No, I will not disappear for you, I will not be
nothing for you because your blue, nor will I
be used like a box of tissues only there when
You need it.
But I can, pick my chin up like a beautiful
black Queen, show off this skin of my kin,
walk with the highest of confidence because
God created me, so I know I'm worth it.
So with this body I will be somebody and
I will RISE
I shall Rise
I will Rise
I shall rise
Again
And
Again
5
He Overcomes
Ke’Von Huguely
Dayton, OH
He have the game.
With game comes fame.
While he smiles, inside was pain.
Struggle started at birth.
He was his mom's first.
Dad was in and out,
Similar to a bus route.
As time flew,
The struggle grew.
He was lacking education.
Teachers had lack of patience.
When it came to sports,
He ran the fields and courts.
He was the man.
No daddy, momma was the fan.
As he got older,
Education was first.
Number one in his class.
He's learning really fast.
School is going well.
Mom is doing her very best,
That's something I can confess.
She's raising three queens and kings,
Teaching them toughness.
Soon they will leave,
From beneath her wings.
He will be somebody.
He won't settle for less.
She raised him with morals,
To succeed and to be the best.
Opportunities he will not waste.
Success he can already taste
6
With An Effort
Nadia Musleh
Cleveland, OH
One by one they seemed to go,
My heart sinking harder with every blow.
Funeral after funeral I had to attend,
Terrible circumstances linking family and friends.
Desperate sobs and quiet cries,
All dressed up; black dresses and ties.
One by one they seemed to go,
How will I recover?
Time will only show.
With an effort, I live through each day.
Trying to understand how to live the same way.
It is strange to know that they'll never return,
Cries for loss, causing my eyes to burn.
There are still things that must be done,
Attending school, working, even having fun.
Going through the motions every day,
Hoping to make it all the way.
Sacrifice, struggle, pain.
Some things are lost, others gained.
You learn to live through it,
Fight the battles, and take the hits.
Happiness is a choice,
Overcoming in order to rejoice.
As life goes by, I will make them proud.
Doing my best to please my distant crowd.
I will continue to grow,
Living with positivity and hope.
For my pain does not define me;
I will work hard to continue thriving.
7
Let My Colors Speak For Me
Brooke Hobbs
Dayton, OH
I'm the voice hidden in the shadows
of a cascaded color world.
Where ghostly figures speak louder
than solid grey statues from the past.
The echoes off the wall were once a voice of gratitude.
Now I am speaking,
of despair and desperation.
I was once told to keep quiet,
with my hands held behind my back.
Walk in a straight line,
In to a world of black and white.
Where senseless words
cover every page of my planned out life.
My life is a series of books overlooked,
collecting dust.
Shelves too high for me to reach.
I want to break free from the shadows,
and paint my voice bright pink.
Decorate my words with glitter,
and write graffiti
on the walls of those
who pushed me into the dark.
I was once the voice hidden in the shadows
Of a dusty wooden shelf.
Until I broke the color barrier
and followed a rainbow
of new books written just for me.
Let my colors speak for me
when my face is on every billboard,
for everyone to see.
Now it's your turn,
listen to me.
8
The Race Horse’s Blinders
Nadiem Musleh
Cleveland, OH
Was I wrong to change?
Was it not for the good?
The confusing judgment had me questioning,
But like a race horse, my blinders stood.
The bridge to the finish line was damaged
Boulders thrown became obstacles
But like a race horse I focused on one goal,
Jumping over the boulders, continuing to cross.
I reached my destination
Those behind me still judged
However, I kept my blinders on
The journey had actually just begun.
The life I chose was not easy
But I will keep going no matter what
With God as my jockey,
I’ll keep racing like a race horse, with my blinders on.
9
A Changing Tune
Kamran Ukhtiyayev
Dayton, OH
From East to West
Or West to East
The world is round,
I migrate.
The beginning is marked with the
Endless rumbles of a plane engine
Or truthfully, the chirping of a free bird,
Compared to life.
Fate always demands a song from us.
In which we are not the writers, nor players.
We’re obliged listeners.
My song begins with the blow of a trumpet.
Hard and shaky.
I have my melody,
But no words yet.
I have my peaceful and cheerful tune planned out,
But see, life is a thin violin bow
That can easily change very soon.
Sometimes the pitch of the song
I’m destined to listen, is so high
I become deaf to my own thoughts,
Emotions,
Feelings.
When I finally find my lyrics,
I realize I have long lost my rhythm.
Fatigued and depressed,
I am trapped inside a gloomy tune,
Played by an unknown, cruel artist.
I don’t want to listen to a depressing song.
We all have a cheerful tune inside
Put a beat in, and sing along.
10
Her Words Made Me Rise
Taylor Bostic
Lorain, OH
Such beautiful words one can create
Through empathy I can relate.
Racism is something that’s universal
Physical, emotional, and even verbal.
Her words, her words
Rolled off so true
People will always talk behind you.
Yet despite that she still rose
And walked forward with her head held high.
Even with your checkered past
Who says you can’t still rise at last?
I am a minority
I have been through it
Exposed to the world without a second thought to it.
“Why are you acting white?”
Or “Why do you speak like that?”
Is what I receive but yet still I rise.
Is it not ok to speak English anymore?
Or is it my skin color you see I’m speaking for?
When I hear that, I just think
How ignorant your words interlink.
But I ignore it, and I still rise
Because it’s not them that I despise.
It’s been like this since before Maya Angelou
Sadly, racism has ALWAYS been the status quo.
I rise through it because I have no option
But what I’ve observed will not be forgotten.
Her words, her words
Her words make me rise.
11
Still I Rise
Del’shawn Davis
Dayton, OH
You can remember me as anything
A man of courage or a man you despise,
You may say my life is full of lies
But still, like the ocean tides, I’ll rise
The way I carry myself may upset you
A man with dignity filled in every step
Someone who keeps themselves pushing,
As if I committed a grand theft
You may think that your words hurt me,
But they honestly just give me a prize,
A prize that will show all of you guys,
That still, still I rise
Did you honestly think you could hurt me?
Or think your words could blow me away with a breeze?
Or even bring me down begging on my knees?
Thinking I would ask for you to stop, please?
Thought what you said could bring me down?
Or think it would make me give up so soon?
But these assumptions only leave me shining,
Like I have diamonds studded in my room
My handsomeness may taunt you,
It’ll have you as heated as the summer skies,
But as you continue with your rumors and lies,
Still, I’ll rise
You think you’re causing adversity on my life,
You honestly think you’re putting up a fight,
You think you have me in so much fear,
Even though I thought I made it very clear,
That still, I rise.
12
Are You Surprised?
Destiny Stout
Cleveland, OH
With my new ways of a new life
I can act as if we never met.
With my guard that will forever stand strong,
I will no longer be timid to speak,
Shy to look or weak to stand tall.
Are you surprised?
We may resemble in features,
high cheek bones and bright green eyes.
As for your attitude and tone
that, I will never carry.
I would call you my Hero.
But that would be a lie.
My hero is the Ambition
Anyone can see in my eyes
Are you surprised?
Do not claim me as yours.
I am not your hard work.
I bet you regret your ways.
you acted as the child in my days.
Are you surprised?
You would be but you are not.
Because of Ignorance
you are the one who is now blind.
Do you wish you were still here?
Open up your eyes.
Because this is no surprise.
13
Without Regrets
Heather Cook
Columbus, OH
Eternally hungry, the babe would cry,
To the void of a mother never matured,
And the unknown face of terrible man,
And to the darkness the toddler would confide,
Of endless battles no eye would spy,
Of an empty heart with no flame.
Forever evolved the teen would sigh,
Reliving memories of days gone by.
Memories full of courtrooms,
Of sirens and fear,
But yet also full of things held dear.
Broken to the outside world,
Yet solid and strong to all whose eyes peer,
Into the forest of her mind.
No matter what, the teen decides,
Never again will fear reside,
For pain and fear and tempers flared,
Have all but come and gone.
Standing tall atop the wall,
She will always glance down,
With pride in the gold and acceptance of the black,
Upon the path whose winding dance,
She alone built brick by brick.
14
I’ll Rise
Amer Hassan
Toledo, OH
I may not end up being famous
And there will be obstacles to overcome
But I will make a difference
I want to reach my goals
I have a strong perseverance
So I don’t need anybody’s clearance
But I need constant motivation
To keep going on
You can help me reach my goal
So I can rock roll
Or you can get out of my way
I have ideas to portray
With Allah’s will
I’ll have plenty of money to pay any bill
I don’t want money to be my problem
I only want it to help the world
My parents tell me I can be anything in the world
But I ask myself “Am I that bold?”
With tons of hard work and determination
I want to stop world starvation
And I have found out in order for you to play hard
You have to work hard
And you have to play your cards right
So everything will be alright
Life is a test with more burdens to come
Life is definitely not easy
But I still want to progress
So don’t be surprised
When you see I’ve touched the skies
I have always had my eye on the prize
Thanks to YSP I’ll be able to rise
15
Prose
Still I Rise
Allison Mayfield-Brown
Dayton, OH
Maya Angelou's poem, “Still I Rise” was and still continues to serve as a consistent
reminder that regardless of a troublesome past of trial and difficulty, these trials do not
necessarily have to result in shortcomings. Through resilience and determination to not let
the troubling times of the past be the determinate of ones future, it is all too possible to
become a positive being. In her poem, Maya draws attention to the efforts of others, or in her
case those who were discriminatory or misogynistic, to weaken her spirit by trying to
dismiss the integrity of her and those of her lineage. This reference is followed by her
response of her refusal to let the unkind words or deeds of others to become the words by
which she lived. As the epitome of discriminatory and human resilience and proprietor of
African American rights and freedoms, Maya Angelou is drawing a clear reference to both
resilience and the rights and freedoms of African Americans in her poem.
Throughout history the struggles of African Americans have been documented.
During the 1950's African Americans unwillingly dealt with racial discrimination, unfair
treatment in the work force, governmental and local inequality and were considered secondclass citizens under the law. Many groups fought at the time for not only racial, but gender
equality. Despite the desperate efforts of these groups, only so much could be done to dismiss
the hatred that simmered in the hearts of racist during that time, ultimately meaning that the
mistreatment and discrimination would not be discontinued. How is it possible for an
African American or another discriminated being to remain so positive and hopeful during
such a negative and hopeless time? In Maya Angelou's poem she reflects upon how one does
so.
I am intrigued by her use of language throughout the poem and also by her choice of
references to herself when speaking about her resilience. When Maya states, “Does my
sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise that I dance like I've got diamonds at the
meeting of my thighs?” I find this statement intriguing because not only had Maya made it
clear that she will not be oppressed by the negativity that surrounds her, but she will do so
with grace and class. I admire this reaction as it is exemplifies the true strength and refusal to
give way to ignorance. I believe that at times as people we choose to simply ignore ignorance,
but very rarely do we choose to do so with pride as it is difficult to embrace negativity in a
positive manner.
I found that in Maya's poem that she repeatedly draws references to matter that rises
and is unable to be stopped from doing so, for example, dust in the wind. Maya states in the
poem, “You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill
me with your hatefulness, but still like air I rise.” I believe that her examples of rising matter
that cannot be prevented from doing so is genius. It makes the statement that she will remain
resilient through every trial and obstacle and her rising above the misfortunes, trials,
tribulations, shortcomings, desolation and oppression is inevitable. She made it clear that her
emergence and success is impossible to be hindered.
17
At the conclusion of her poem, Maya repeatedly draws attention to her lineage and
slavery. She states, “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors, I am the dream and the hope of the
slave.” I feel in this portion of the poem Maya is making it clear that it is through the past
she is able to do what was considered impossible by those before her. It is understood that an
African American slave would always dream of giving those after them a more suitable and
enjoyable life, due to the troublesome lives they experienced. Maya was the living example of
this dream in her poem.
I believe that Maya may have chosen to conclude with the topic of her ancestry
because it describes the genesis of her being and ability to withstand whatever she
encountered. It has proven to be far too easy to credit oneself for strength, but Maya showed
where her confidence, strength, resilience and spirit originated from. I believe she also chose
to conclude with this because her ancestry and her race’s slavery were the very reasons that
she rose. Without the presence of those two things all of her other attributes would cease to
exist. This poem, in my opinion serves as an inspirational reminder that the past is not the
true determinate of future and that strength comes from within, but you must first choose to
release it, despite all that may to hinder you from doing so.
18
Still I Rise
Angel D. Figueroa
Cleveland, OH
Reading about inspirational stories of overcoming childhood challenges is very
heartfelt and I have a sense of admiration for those whose life seemed unfair but in the long
run it favored them. I think that someone who had a tough childhood can say “still I rise”
because they have endured hardships and at an early age they had to deal with adult
problems. They didn’t have a chance to be a kid. We all know that the best memories of the
start of a new life is their childhood. It is an essential and critical time, because it is when
they learn moral values, ethics, and character as they develop into their next stages of life.
So, is very influential to know that in life you can fall seven times, but yet get up seven
times. Even more influential is to overcome adversity when you wanted to give up on life
and permit those bad experiences to scar you, but choose to forgive that haunting past and
write a new chapter in life like Maya Angelou did.
Through my life I’ve found ways to face tough circumstances. I’ve found that the
worst thing to do is run away from them or try to act like everything is alright. I’ve found
myself doing this. I’ve found that running only demonstrates my fear to fail and show a
weak character, and that pretending made my challenges even more noticeable. In reality, I
have a tough time overcoming challenges because I am learning to do so at this point of my
life. The only thing that carries me out from tough circumstances is my faith and the
guidance from the divine creator who is above. With his guidance I learned to analyze the
problem, to be optimistic, acquire help, listen to good advice from those who have been in the
same position and learn from them. So far those are the tools that I rely on when I am faced
with tough circumstances. Knowing I can’t do everything with my strengths, I rely on the
supporting cast that has gotten me this far.
The obstacle that I had to overcome and that some who share my cultural background
might have experienced was learning English. I mention this, because it was an obstacle that
frustrated me when I was a child at school and I had to better myself by learning the
language. Coming from a household where Spanish speaking was the most dominant, I
learned my native language first. After I had a good grasp on my Spanish speaking skills I
was later transitioned into English classes. I remember my mom had a tough time trying to
speak the language and she was scared that I might forget my native language when I started
to learn the new language. After she had thought about it, she knew that it was important to
be bilingual. My memory can recall all the embarrassing moments I went through. I used to
stutter a lot in front of the class and even when participating in school events where I had to
speak. I can also remember a kid came up to me and said “Hey! Is this the dude that
stutters?” Others kids would ridicule me because of my mispronunciation of words. Of
course, this didn’t stop me from learning English. I started reading books in English, spoke in
English with my siblings, and I also learned it from watching English channels. After a few
years my English was improving and it still is to this day. This is how I overcame this
obstacle that I faced at an early age and now I am proud to speak both English and Spanish
fluently. From my bad experiences I can say “I still rise” and to those experiences that would
cause me to stumble, I will rise!
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“Still I Rise” Response
Huyen Truong
Columbus, OH
Upon reading the poem’s title, I prepared myself to look for what the author means
when she says “still I rise.” The title “Still I Rise” takes note that there is some force acting
against the poet, and the word “Still” implies that she is able to overcome it. After reading
Dr. Angelou’s biography it’s simple to see why this title has been chosen for her poem.
Throughout her childhood there were many difficult obstacles that she had to overcome such
as going through her parents’ divorce, being sexually assaulted, being a teen mom, etc.
Looking at her life, at the beginning it seems like the world was against her in every way, yet
we see how she didn’t let any of that stop her from doing what she was passionate about and
in the end, becoming successful. She was incredibly gifted in the Arts and she managed to
still incorporate it into her life while raising her son. In the end she didn’t lose hope or give
up on writing, singing, or performing through her difficult times. In other words, she was
able to rise from all the struggles she faced.
A part within the poem that connects to our Still I Rise theme would be the line “Up
from a past that’s rooted in pain, I rise.” This line simply means overcoming difficulties of
your past. Our theme of self-empowerment really focuses on having scholars be able to grow
and prosper disregarding their adversities. Looking at my personal experiences with YSP, the
program was always the big opportunity to help me rise above difficulties. I connected this
particular part in the poem to my own life on the circumstances that it was hard for me to
learn growing up. I didn’t speak English and that made me very insecure about myself and
my learning capabilities. I didn’t have hope that my knowledge in school would be able to
take me far in life and I knew that financially my family wasn’t capable of putting me into
the best schools there were. Being in YSP, I was able to build my confidence in school and
have the support needed to overcome the many difficulties that are in and beyond my
control.
Someone with a tough childhood would able to say “still I rise” because they can
decide for themselves how they direct their life. People growing up in tough situations didn’t
choose to have that kind of life, but in the end it’s all about how they handle the situation.
It’s tough, but not impossible to overcome certain difficulties and people who are able to say
“still I rise” have done that. They didn’t let their difficulties define their life. Similarly, Dr.
Angelou had a tough childhood but she was able to say “still I rise” because she didn’t let her
struggles stop her from getting what she wanted out of life.
My response to tough circumstances were pretty rough in the beginning. It’s hard for
me personally to handle situations that are difficult and they usually bring me to a very bad
place within my life. It’s a process though, and I can see that in the end it always is. Under
tough circumstances, after I’ve accepted that it’s beyond my control, I would try to find the
light in the situation and remember that everything in this life is temporary.
The biggest obstacle that others from the same cultural background as me face is
definitely the language barrier. Many Vietnamese people who come to America immigrated
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here and that means that English isn’t their native language. It becomes a difficult tasks for
us because many who come here are usually here for work opportunities and they would be
working hard to survive which then doesn’t leave much time for learning. Still, it doesn't
mean that it is impossible to learn English and to fit in. I was fortunate enough to learn at a
young age, but people similar to my parents who immigrated had to pick up the language on
their own. As we can see with the growing number of Vietnamese people in the states, the
language difference wasn’t an obstacle we couldn’t overcome.
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Rising to the Occasion
Evelisse Weeks
Lorain, OH
“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou is a poem that shows a great illustration of strength
and hope. I believe that there are many words in the poem that can support the Ohio State
Young Scholars Summer Academy theme. In my opinion, the strongest words to support our
theme is when Angelou states, “Does my haughtiness offend you? / Don’t you take it awful
hard / ‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines / Diggin’ in my own backyard.” Angelou was
illustrating that she walks with her head high and although it might offend others, she will
laugh as though she has never been mistreated or that she has never struggled.
This statement impacted me as soon as I read it because I can relate to what she is
trying to tell her readers. Within these few words I found a strong meaning and something
everyone should live by. I believe that someone with a difficult childhood would be able to
say “Still I Rise” because their past experiences should not define them. Their experiences
should not take over their lives and corrupt them. I believe that the more hardships a person
has experienced, the stronger they are.
Some circumstances can break someone down but some can build them up, it
depends on the character of the person. When I am faced with a tough circumstance I
sometimes will become stressed out but later on I will pull myself together and I will face my
problem head on. I know I have been through a lot so I remember that it could be worse and I
continue to live my life with a smile on my face and laughter in my heart.
Some obstacles that people from my cultural background have had to overcome is
racism and discrimination. There are many people who have had to fight for the rights I have
now. Before my time, women had no say, marriage between different races was illegal, and
segregation was the most powerful line between different races. I am grateful for the people
who have fought for my right to be friends with whomever I like, to say whatever I need to
say, and to love whomever I fall in love with. I am proud of these people of the past who
have given me more than I could have ever had. I will rise because there is no other way to
go besides up and I will do it with a smile on my face and laughter in my heart just like Maya
Angelou.
I believe that the poem “Still I Rise” will give hope to anyone who reads it and I
believe that is what the Ohio State Young Scholars Program is all about. We are the beacon
of hope to the people who do not believe that they can successfully graduate from college or
do great things in their lives. I believe my fellow young scholars and I can be that light for
other people and we can show them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
I have dedicated six years of my life to this program that will benefit me in the future. I have
one more year left of high school and I can proudly say that I have worked hard to become a
Buckeye and I will work even harder to become an alumni of The Ohio State University.
The key to success is hope. Hope that your future children will never see you struggle, hope
that you can make a difference, and hope that you can influence others to do their best. The
class of 2015 Ohio State Young Scholars will be the light for the younger generations and you
can always expect that we will rise to the occasion.
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Still I Rise
Rico Stallworth
Cincinnati, OH
Dr. Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” poem holds a strong meaning for the struggling
youth today. While the poem talks about the many challenges Maya Angelou faced, the
poem title summed up all of her life’s struggles before she even began to tell us what they
were. “Still I Rise” signifies that through life’s hardest downfalls and accomplishments we
have the power to choose whether we will continue to succeed or let life beat us to the point
where we don’t want to get back up again. In her poem Dr. Maya Angelou talks about how
she was beaten down physically and emotionally, but yet she rose up to be the best person
she could be by finding the positive in better days to come.
While Dr. Maya Angelou was an extraordinary woman, there is still the question of
whether or not some of our troubled youth, who have difficult childhoods today, can apply
this message of “Still I Rise” to their own lives. While some might say that this is a life they
choose and they cannot escape it, I say that through the power of God all things are made
possible. Every day that we see celebrities, singers, and TV personalities, we think about
what they have and why they should be grateful that they have it and others don’t, but we
should think of where they came from and why they deserve it. Not every one of those
rappers/singers or actors had it easy growing up. Some of them lived in the poorest of poor
areas, but they weren’t going to sit back and let life happen; they had gifts and talents they
knew they could put to use and had the determination to say “Still I Rise,” in the most
troubling times. Youth today may not all become superstars or be known worldwide, but
they ALL have potential to be something more than what they are told they have to be. They
can still say “Still I Rise” because just like Dr. Maya Angelou and everyone out there who
has had someone or something tell them no, they can overcome it, and if they put their
minds to it and stay strong in their faith, they can achieve greatness.
Throughout my life, I have relied strongly on my faith in God knowing that all
things are possible through Him, and because of this I can honestly say I’ve been blessed
with many opportunities. While some of those opportunities may not seem like “great”
achievements to some, they are to me. I have had the chance to meet millionaires, own my
own car, speak at leadership events, win academic awards, network with many successful
people, and even have the chance at a full-ride scholarship to the school of my dreams. These
may be small feats, but when they all add up they’re just a part of something bigger I plan to
do later in life. I have dreams of one day owning my own physician’s practice and being able
to provide my family with all of their wants and needs. When I finally achieve my goal of
being successful I don’t want to just keep it for myself, but I want to share my wealth by
giving back to the communities and people who help to get me where I am today. I could
have easily become the stereotypical “troubled black male that grew up without a father,” but
“Still I Rise” because I’m destined to be great. The things I will overcome will be nothing
compared to the great things I will do; that’s why I believe that no matter what obstacle
stands in anyone’s way, whether they be black, white, Asian, Hispanic, poor, rich, boy, or
girl, they can achieve the things they put their minds to. Just as Dr. Maya Angelou said in
her poem, “I rise / Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear / I RISE.”
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Still We Rise
Juan Davis
Youngstown, OH
Maya Angelou used metaphors and repetition in her poem “Still I Rise” to show how
she overcame racism. She had to have high standards and also a certain level of
confidence. She couldn’t let other people bring her down even if they still talked about her,
because she “still rises.” People will always hate on you and think that you are arrogant. You
can’t always have a reaction to somebody’s stupidity or hatred. You have to have a certain
level of “swag.” Don’t settle for anything less than what you have because you’re not going
to get anywhere in life.
You have to have your priorities straight to get somewhere in life. You have to stay
on top. She had to overcome a lot of different obstacles in life. She never understood why
people would have this hatred towards her. But she still stayed on top and still came out as
the bigger person. People saw something in her that they liked and that they didn’t have, so
they had to make her feel low about herself. She had to show them that no matter what they
did she had to “still rise.” They saw her success and wanted to be like her. She said that they
might’ve “cut her with their eyes and kill her with their hatefulness” but she still rose and
stayed on top. Maya never let anybody’s words get to her because they weren’t going to
“make her.”
In the poem she expressed the emotional pain that she felt by these powerful
words. Racism was a very tough obstacle in her life and she couldn’t let the rude, ignorant
people get to her. For example, she says, “you may shoot me with your words,” she was
comparing every word to a bullet being shot at her. She used repetition by saying “still I
rise.” She’s saying that no matter what she goes through she will still defend herself and her
race. She says “you may trod me in the very dirt.” She’s saying that she was treated with
great disrespect and people were very violent towards her. Then she says, “Then still, like
dust, I rise.” She compares her rising to the dust because when dust rises it’s very effective.
She’s also saying that something that is seen as being negative by most people was seen as
being positive by her.
She uses metaphors by comparing herself to diamonds and gold because those are
beautiful and priceless. She wanted to be seen as “priceless” because she wanted to show the
people who talked about her that she was priceless and was still on top. She listed natural
resources, oil wells, then gold, then diamonds; she listed them in the order of value. Then she
lists black women's natural resources of sassiness, haughtiness, and sexiness. Those resources
are hidden in private places. Those places are, “Living rooms,” “Backyards,” and the
“meeting of my thighs.” People dig to discover the richness of the Earth. So likewise, she had
to put in an effort in to find our natural resources, whether it was race, gender or nationality.
She compares herself to a black ocean. A black ocean representing richness, depth, and
vast magnitude. It shows the cruelty and how the obstacles that she went through were
unexpected. There are many forms of discrimination and obstacles that people go through in
life. Everybody can relate to it. There isn’t one person that hasn’t had obstacles in their lives.
People are so strong and have such great pride that they can get through anything.
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There is a strong message that is portrayed in this poem. It’s portrayed through the
eyes of a person who has been through a lot of discrimination. Discrimination is a struggle
that all humans go through and that all humans will overcome. We can all relate to
discrimination and we all “still rise.”
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The Ohio State University
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
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154 W. 12th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210-1132
odi.osu.edu
http://odi.osu.edu/centers/ysp/ysp-home/