jarrylf Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 The poetry and prose of Dr. Maya Angelou inspired not only people and presidents but Hollywood. John Singleton's 1993 film, Poetic Justice, features some of the author's most indelible work. The film's star Janet Jackson remembers the woman behind the words. "THE FIRST TIME I met Dr. Maya Angelou was around the filming of Poetic Justice in 1992. I was young, 25 years old. I knew how important she was from my mother, brothers, and sisters, but when we first met all those years ago, I had never really heard her voice. Back then, we didn't have YouTube of DVDs, so I just read her work as much as I could. Her voice was so strong. She had a powerful impact on me. I remember reading I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, and learning that she had suffered abuse as a child. The effects of the abuse, and all that occurred after, silenced her. Yet she transformed herself into this incredible iconic figure-so iconic, in fact, that those words are a huge understatement. She shattered barriers not just for African-American women but for ALL women. There are no barriers of color or gender when it comes to Dr. Angelou. The poems of hers that impacted me the deepest are "Phenomenal Woman," which I recited in the film, and "Still I Rise." The empowering truth of them resonates with all women. She is a genius, an activist, a trailblazer, and so much more. There is no word that exists to describe how phenomenal this woman will always be. She dedicated her life to teaching us how to better ourselves. She taught me, and the world, to know who you are and where you come from and to embrace yourself-your power and your phenomenal beauty-in every aspect. She taught us the importance of knowing our worth. We stayed in touch after filming ended, and I had the pleasure of staying with her for a little while at her home. She was never uncomfortable in any situation, but to see her in her own surroundings, her own zone, was very moving. She know who she was, and I could relate to that in my own way. She was always working to instill values in those she called "her children," and everyone was her child. Her literary work is a gift that we can never repay, and even thought she is gone, her work will continue for generations to come. She has left it not to me, but to the world." http://www.janetjack...rs-maya-angelou 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn1814 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 :tear: :tear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackCat1989 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Yessss! Queen Janet only tweets important stuff. Well this was from her team, but still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 That was so warm and beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laveaux Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 I knew she would eventually. She spoke nothing put the truth. A phenomenal poet remembering and honoring a phenomenal poet, I LIVE!!! I still remember the article she did for Tina Turner for Rolling Stone, Janet definitely has a way with words and an extended vocabulary. Some of the newer pop gals need to take notes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetDAYZ Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 And always wondered if Maya "moved" Janet in that way. I finally got my answer..and to know they kept in touch after the movie...I would have Never thought. I love to get the backstory ..(well minus one inspired by Joe or a Bailey post)...but wow, this was beautiful and nice of Janet .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock & Roll Hall of Game Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Wow at Janet staying with Maya.. That to me is mind blowing.. To be a fly on that wall. A very inspiring article.. I'm glad Janet took the time out of her busy schedule to write one.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bu. Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Absolutely beautiful words . Can we add "Bereavement Counsellor" to Janhova's resume? She always knows what to say. Wow at Janet staying with Maya.. That to me is mind blowing.. To be a fly on that wall. A very inspiring article.. I'm glad Janet took the time out of her busy schedule to write one.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSimba Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Very eloquently stated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DasSad Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 That was moving Thats cool she hung out at her house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.C Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotboy06 Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Janhova..the literary chanteuse. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laveaux Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 And always wondered if Maya "moved" Janet in that way. I finally got my answer..and to know they kept in touch after the movie...I would have Never thought. I love to get the backstory ..(well minus one inspired by Joe or a Bailey post)...but wow, this was beautiful and nice of Janet .. she honored Janet at the 1997 Soul Train Awards bruh. I knew that they were close because Ive read interviews about Maya admiring her and calling her the quintessential black woman of her time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetDAYZ Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 she honored Janet at the 1997 Soul Train Awards bruh. I knew that they were close because Ive read interviews about Maya admiring her and calling her the quintessential black woman of her time. As if I didn't know she honored her that means nothing ppl honor ppl everyday that doesn't mean they have a deep connection or friendship with each other. Did u know Janet was spending the night over Maya's house too? The New switchblade ,huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laveaux Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 As a fan of Maya Angelou, I know she was rarely moved enough to speak publicly about celebrities. Her honoring Janet at the Soul Train Awards was a big deal because she doesn't do things like that. I wont even entertain that last little remark. It was cute though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquaria Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetDAYZ Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 Cute enough for you to acknowledge , I'll take it tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackCat1989 Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 As a fan of Maya Angelou, I know she was rarely moved enough to speak publicly about celebrities. Her honoring Janet at the Soul Train Awards was a big deal because she doesn't do things like that. I wont even entertain that last little remark. It was cute though. This is true! Maya was not someone to paid tribute to just any old body. It had to be someone who she truly liked and respected. And that says a lot about Janet in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarrylf Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 ^^^ Mine too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
switchblade330 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Janet's coming!!!!!!! :yahoo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquaria Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Janet's coming!!!!!!! :yahoo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetDAYZ Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Janet's coming!!!!!!! :yahoo: This is year 5 of you saying this 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock & Roll Hall of Game Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 This is year 5 of you saying this Lmao exactly.. Switchy, you have lost all credibility as a source Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bu. Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 I told you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetDAYZ Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 He's more credible than that Gil guy.. hell, I'm more credible than that Gil guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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