An ode to Maya Angelou who left us today 7 years back

"People will forget you what you said, or what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" This was the golden statement of Maya Angelou. African-American poet, writer and activist Maya Angelou died on this day in 2014. Angelou was an important figure in the struggle for gender equality, civil rights and the fight against racism, both in the United States and around the world.

Maya Angelou was an immense poet of equality. Her books and poems, deeply rooted in her personal experience, have given a universal resonance to the fight for women's rights, civil rights and against racism. She remains, like Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela, among the few rare icons who have been able to advance humanity toward greater justice.

I simply love the quote because I always feel there is a deep truth there but I also have struggled with it a bit as I think everything you do or say usually drives how you make them feel. But in real life examples I can think of successful leaders and public figures that were able to inspire followers with positive impressions although their personal actions were at times incongruent. Steve Jobs left many close to him feeling bitter and alienated by his behavior but for many more distant he was an inspiring role model and even beloved figure. He was very good at marketing inspiration and empowerment with his products.

By comparison, Bill Gates actually does many positive things through charitable programs. People close to Bill Gates tend to seem to like him more than people distant to him. He has always had difficulty projecting warmth or inspiring people via his individual public persona. I think he is uncomfortable relating that way. Of course, those that follow both closely can likely jump in with many reasons to dislike Gates but the discrepancy in general feelings people have remains.

Also, I think charismatic leaders make people feel empowered through their words and in best cases also deeds but over time those imbue positive feelings that remain within people as much or more than their words or deeds. Someone may have gone to a Martin Luther King rally and now remember little of what was specifically said but the feeling remains with them. I think this powerfully is illustrated the other direction too when you meet someone whose words and deeds are incongruent with their behavior.

My friend was at a fund raiser put on for poor children and was one of the poor children who were at the event. The nun coordinating the event brought the children out saying some nice words about caring for them and giving them a better life but in interacting with them was cold and patronizing. He said she made him feel a bit dehumanized. So although her actions being involved in charity for poor children and her positive words would indicate caring the memory decades later is she was cold, uncaring although the exact words and deeds of the day aren’t remembered.

This idea is often exploited in marketing. Companies that aren’t necessarily particularly healthy or environmentally friendly present advertising that features natural beauty or active healthy people and stimulates positive feelings. Angelou's books and legacy should continue to be taught in schools and through the media so that her example is never forgotten. Her life and her body of literary work trumpet the importance of love, tolerance and forgiveness. She was a warrior for truth, justice and love. "Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry" she said, "but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." What do you think? Cheers!

Learn more on what UNESCO is doing to fight discrimination and racism: https://on.unesco.org/37fgBK6 #OnThisDay #MayaAngelou #FightRacism #StandUp4HumanRightsAn