Submitted by: Valerie Martin
Generally, what inspires you to read?
For as long as I can remember, reading has been a part of my life. Whether reading for pleasure or for educational/informational purposes, reading is a component of every day, a habit I am very happy to have!
When did you first read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?
I read this book as a college-wide reading in my first faculty position in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Why has this book inspired you the most?
Dr. Angelou’s autobiography of her childhood and early adult life was quite powerful, particularly in the time she spent in the South, a region of the country so familiar and yet foreign to me as experienced through her book. In my memory, the book is intertwined with her appearance on our campus.
In reading this book, how has your life been influenced or changed?
I was mesmerized and moved by her words and song that evening. In a city that was experiencing great racial tension, it was a moment that brought our community together. I still feel the influence of her words nearly 20 years later.
