My Commonplace Book... African American People of Note: Maya Angelou

    Maya Angelou, was born Marguerite Ann Johnson April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, and was an American poet, memoirist, actress, and an important figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. In 2001 she was named one of the 30 most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. She is known mainly for her six autobiographies that start with the book: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings published in 1969. Ms. Angelou is also known for her poetry.

 

 

QUOTES 

FROM MAYA ANGELOU

 "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it."

 

My Commonplace Book... African American People of note: Bass Reeves

Currently reading Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal and am saving, in my commonplace book, notable people that I have read about. My second notable person is an African American name of Bass Reeves. Born a slave but died a legend in America. He was a straight shooter and always got his man. He tried really hard to not kill anyone even if Judge Isaac Parker said dead or alive. Bass even had to arrest one of his own sons.

"In 1887, Reeves was charged with murdering a posse cook. Like the many outlaws he had arrested, he was tried before Judge Isaac Parker. He was represented by United States Attorney W.H.H. Clayton, who was a colleague and friend. In the end, Reeves was acquitted."

"The lengthy and glowing obituary for this universally respected man described him as 'absolutely fearless and knowing no master but duty.'

Over the 35 years that Bass Reeves served as a Deputy United States Marshal, he earned his place in history by being one of the most effective lawmen in Indian Territory, bringing in more than 3,000 outlaws and helping to tame the lawless territory. Killing some 14 men during his service, Reeves always said that he 'never shot a man when it was not necessary for him to do so in the discharge of his duty to save his own life.'”

Legends of America: Bass Reeves  

A statue of U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves in Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

By Jeannie Nuss/AP Photo