Maya Angelou

Angelou’s poem My Guilt addresses racism and the apathetic reactions of African Americans. Rhythm and tone are key elements in conveying the mournful message of a person who has identified their sins, and wishes to repent. In the first stanza, I believe that Angelou is trying to give the idea that over the past few centuries, blacks have grown deaf and blind to the injustices being done against them. The lines “My guilt is “slavery’s chains,” to long/the clang of iron fal...