A Lesson in Courage from Maya Angelou

Adrian S. Potter
4 min readApr 5, 2024

Courage is the key to all virtue.

Photo by Oliver Cole on Unsplash

The Secondhand Inspiration Project begins with a motivational quote and ventures wherever the creative path meanders.

Maya Angelou was a towering figure in literature and civil rights activism, known for her profound daring in the face of adversity. Born into a racially segregated America, Angelou faced immense challenges, including childhood trauma and discrimination. However, she refused to be defined by her circumstances, demonstrating remarkable resilience and courage throughout her life.

Angelou’s audacity was evident in her relentless pursuit of truth and justice through her writing and activism. She fearlessly used her voice to speak out against injustice, racism, and inequality, even when doing so put her at risk. Her autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” is a testament to her courage, as she fearlessly shared her experiences of trauma and resilience, shining a light on the struggles of African American women.

Moreover, Angelou’s courage extended beyond her trials to embrace empathy, compassion, and forgiveness. Despite enduring hardships, she remained steadfast in her commitment to kindness and understanding, embodying the virtues she spoke of so eloquently.

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Adrian S. Potter

Antisocial Extrovert · Writer and Poet, Engineer, Consultant, Public Speaker · Writing about self-improvement, gratitude, and creativity · www.adrianspotter.com