Introduction
Maya Angelou's work, Equality, was published in 1990, but the message and themes are still relevant today. In the poem, the speaker, who is a black woman addresses the unequal treatment of men to women and raises her voice to end the inequality. Hence the imagery used in Angelou's poem depicts social oppression between black and white, men and women, and is overtly asking everyone to acknowledge this racial and gender issues and encourage them to make a change.
Equality: Maya Angelou
Equality - a state of being equal, especially in rights and opportunities. There it is, the definition in black and white, clear as day. It should be this simple; however, people everywhere are yet to see this equality. People are deemed as targets in a country where "equality" is thrown into their faces as an excuse for wretched behaviour. As a nation, we do not even understand the meaning of a word with a blatant definition. Hatred and partiality are clouding rational humanity. Maya Angelou explores this worldwide dilemma in her poem, "Equality." With metaphors of shadows and drums, Angelou displays the everyday frustrations of the oppressed in a society that draws a blind eye. She paints the worlds of both sides, creates a clashing scenario, and expresses her thoughts in a mere three part poem. Powerfully, the stanzas are joined together by the anaphora, "Equality, and I will be free."
First Stanza:
You declare you see me dimly
through a glass which will not shine,
though I stand before you boldly,
trim in rank and marking time.
You do own to hear me faintly
as a whisper out of range,
while my drums beat out the message
and the rhythms never change
In the first verse, the speaker discusses the idea of being seen, and how this idea does not necessarily mean as much as it might. The idea of being seen “through a glass which will not shine” brings to mind the image of a pair of glasses, a spyglass, or a similar lens through which one person can see something else — except that the glass does not shine. This metaphor suggests that while the speaker is seen, they are not necessarily seen entirely, or understood for having been seen. The “though” in the third line makes it seem as though the following description of “standing boldly” is something that is being missed by the observer. The speaker is seen, but their pose, their demeanour, and their intentions are not.
When the speaker declares that the rhythm never changes, it suggests that this beat or rhythm has been with them for a long time, and their own terrible experiences cannot change the things that are a part of them. In the context of slavery, this brings to mind the musical culture native to various African peoples. If this is the intended reference, it suggests that the music they grew up within freedom is still a part of them, and their memory of it and desire to follow it cannot be broken, no matter what is done to them.
Equality, and I will be free.
Equality, and I will be free.
These next two lines use repetition to make a powerful point more pronounced. The meaning behind the words is simple enough to decipher — the speaker equates equality with freedom. They will still live in the same area physically, surrounded by the same people, but if they are equals among those people, they will consider themselves liberated. With the implied theme of slavery prominent in the first verse, these lines take on additional contextual meaning, though it is hardly necessary to think too deeply on it — to be equal in a society is to be free within it.
You announce my ways are wanton,
that I fly from man to man,
but if I'm just a shadow to you,
could you ever understand ?
After the break for the call for equality, the poem resumes its previous structure, with the noticeable difference of breaks between the two quatrains that were merged in the first verse. The first line of this next verse gives the poem a harsh, accusing tone, and gives the speaker a kind of moral high ground. The atmosphere in this verse is only slightly altered from the first one, and reads in a more mournful, almost pleading tone, though the words have a bite to them. The speaker is accused of being immoral or indecent and told that their life consists of being with one man and then the other as often as they deem necessary.
The use of the word “wanton,” along with the common expression of moving “from man to man” suggests that the speaker is a prostitute, or can be compared to one in their personal life. Interestingly, the accusation is not denied but rather is met with another accusation from the narrator: that someone who judges them for the things they do is someone who could not understand being in a position to do them.
We have lived a painful history,
we know the shameful past,
but I keep on marching forward,
and you keep on coming last.
Equality, and I will be free.
Equality, and I will be free.
In the next verse, the “I” becomes a “we,” and this amplifies the impression the reader has of a group that is being discriminated against. The “painful history” and “shameful past” suggest that the speaker is one of the latest generations amidst a long line of persecuted or hated people, all of whom simply yearned for equality. The idea of slavery and the long period of racist discrimination that followed it continues to fit with the words of the poem.
The last verse, which described the speaker as being either in an unfortunate personal situation or an undesirable industry for employment makes it plausible that while the speaker may not be a slave in their society, they may be experiencing racist discrimination following a time when such a thing was sadly commonplace.
The verse does revisit the theme of hope in the work, however, by stating that the “we” of the poem have endured their difficult history and painful lineage and that the speaker responds to everything they’ve described in this poem by moving forward and not giving up. The final line, “and you keep on coming last” could have a plethora of meanings depending on the actual roles of the “I” and the “you.” It implies that while the speaker and their comrades are moving forward, the rest of their more privileged society is complacent and is metaphorically standing still by accepting their lots, in direct contrast to those who seek to improve their lives.
Take the blinders from your vision,
take the padding from your ears,
and confess you've heard me crying,
and admit you've seen my tears.
The next verse returns the role of the accuser to the speaker, who speaks in an almost commanding way to their society here, demanding that they “confess” their willful blindness to the injustices they create. In the narrator’s mind, it is impossible that anyone is entirely oblivious to pain seen on such a massive scale, and they know that their tormentor is aware of their own wrongdoings. The image of blinders and paddings is an effective metaphor for those who would rather not acknowledge an ugly truth, and it is used to great effect here, as the speaker confesses their own moments of weakness in the form of pain and tears that others have heard and seen, but chosen to ignore.
Hear the tempo so compelling,
hear the blood throb in my veins.
Yes, my drums are beating nightly,
and the rhythms never change.
Equality, and I will be free.
Equality, and I will be free.
In the final full verse of the poem in this structure, the perspective shifts slightly. It begins as a continuation of the previous command and begins with the word “hear,” indicating that they are once again telling someone else to “remove the padding” around their ears and listen, but this time the sound is not a literal one. While the flow of blood does make some sound, it is not something that can easily be literally listened to — but a heartbeat is a symbolic noise with great meaning.
The beat of a heart is being compared to the beat of a drum, and in this way, the speaker’s literal drive for life is metaphorically one and the same with the culturally significant beat of drums, that remnant of home, repeated here to conclude the verse and remind the reader and the other alike that despite the tears and vulnerability expressed here, they are as strong as ever, and will not give up on what it is they truly need.
Popularity of “Equality”: Written by one of the best African American poets, Maya Angelou, this short and brisk poem “Equality” first appeared in her collection of poems I Shall not Be Moved. This volume of her poems appeared in 1990. The poem presents her thoughts about her own racial background coupled with her femininity and equality the African Americans won in the United States following a prolonged struggle. That is why the poem has won her global acclaim.
“Equality” As a Representative of Equality and Justice: The poet, who happens to be the speaker of the poem, states that the opponent standing in front of her could not see her though she is quite beautiful and bold. She declares that she does not find herself being heard though she is quite loud and clear and that her message has the same musical quality. The reason is that she wants equality and is free now. She objects to the opponent’s claim about her for having wanton behavior, but she is of the view that they have no understanding of her. It is because they do not recall her torturing history and her strong memory and she does it as she is now free and also equal to her opponents. Therefore, she advises her opponents to stop being prejudicial against her and should pay attention to her living soul and her beauty as she is now free and equal to them.
Themes
Racial Equality and Social Justice: At its core, the poem addresses the ongoing struggle for racial equality and social justice. Angelou, as the speaker, confronts the societal injustices faced by African Americans, particularly women, who are subjected to prejudice and discrimination. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Angelou portrays the challenges of being seen and heard in a society marked by inequality.
Gender Equality and Feminism: In addition to racial equality, the poem also touches on themes of gender equality and feminism. Angelou challenges stereotypes and double standards imposed on African American women, rejecting notions of promiscuity and wanton behaviour. She asserts her right to be seen and heard as an equal, regardless of gender, advocating for women's empowerment and agency.
Freedom and Liberation: Throughout the poem, there is a recurring motif of freedom and liberation. Angelou equates equality with freedom, emphasising the inherent link between the two. For the speaker, true freedom is not just physical but also psychological and emotional, requiring recognition and acceptance by society. The pursuit of equality is framed as a path towards liberation from oppression and marginalization.
Historical Trauma and Resilience: Angelou alludes to the painful history of slavery and racial oppression experienced by African Americans. The speaker acknowledges the collective trauma of this history, yet also emphasises resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite the lingering effects of past injustices, the speaker remains determined to march forward and demand equality.
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