Human Rights Activist and Artist remembered – Maya Angelou
New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission has paid tribute to African-American author, poet and human rights activist Maya
Angelou who passed away today.
“Some unforgettable people are able to turn their fight for the realisation of human rights into a beautiful piece of
art: Maya Angelou was one of those people. A human rights activist as well as a human rights artist,” said Race
Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.
“Her enduring words of wisdom, honesty and beauty will continue to strengthen generations of everyday people who like
her are seekers of justice.”
Dame Susan says facing injustice and forcing the rest of the world to do so as well is the legacy of great human rights
activists like Ms Angelou.
“My favourite Maya Angelou quote is this: “History despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived but if faced with
courage, need not be lived again,” said Dame Susan.
“This message is one that speaks to us all, no matter who we are or where we live. We are responsible for making our
future and our children’s future better.”
ENDS