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In Celebration

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Great American, Maya Angelou is turning 80 years young!

In honor of the special occasion, U.S.A. Today wrote this article looking back on her life.

It's a great read!

    Posted: Mar 27, 2008 at 10:50 am / Email this  »
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    87 comments to “In Celebration”

    1. Cyndi says – reply to this


      1

      I love Maya Angelou she is an excellent author.

    2. stephanie! says – reply to this


      2

      woohoo! i luv her….she had a crazy life but came out on top …more then i can say for sum people

    3. Danielle says – reply to this


      3

      its nice to see people like her being recognized! These are the people that we are going to remember in 20 years — they will have a legacy!

    4. GEMS says – reply to this


      4

      FIRST?

    5. gina says – reply to this


      5

      First???

    6. seisei says – reply to this


      6

      first>! who is she???

    7. d says – reply to this


      7

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAYA!!

    8. riday says – reply to this


      8

      she went to my high school! we are all so proud of her. To the person who said "who is she", read up on your American History.

    9. ashlea says – reply to this


      9

      First!

    10. Matt says – reply to this


      10

      She teaches at my school (Wake Forest University) and she invited the entire class to her birthday party! She is truly the sweetest lady.

    11. Hi there says – reply to this


      11

      Remember when Fiona Apple was obsessed with Maya Angelou and would always quote her and stuff? I always wondered if Maya was like who is that.

    12. MARINA says – reply to this


      12

      WHO???
      FIRST!

    13. g says – reply to this


      13

      n igger

    14. Chelsey says – reply to this


      14

      First!!

    15. toenis says – reply to this


      15

      first

    16. tara says – reply to this


      16

      firstt

    17. whothehellisthat? says – reply to this


      17

      who is this and who cares?

      1st

    18. Lulu says – reply to this


      18

      She's boring and so is Oprah.

    19. ArmPitt™ says – reply to this


      19

      Wow…..happy b-day.

    20. Cecily says – reply to this


      20

      Wonderful author, wonderful woman.

    21. h says – reply to this


      21

      g says i am a loser spic.

    22. Dave says – reply to this


      22

      She is a fantastic person! Luv Her!

    23. Eleanor says – reply to this


      23

      After reading the comments on the news article, I have realized that our generation is a sad one. Dr. A worked endlessly to educate future generations and to show them a peaceful path, and it is disgraceful for the angry and disappointing comments to be posted on the well written article celebrating the birthday of a woman that should be one of America's most celebrated.

    24. Bill says – reply to this


      24

      Hey g, any Puerto Rican poets honored lately? No? Didn't think so. Love Maya, she is a great supporter of Mrs. Clinton and all women.

    25. Sophiqua says – reply to this


      25

      LOVE HER! If it weren't for her, I really never would have known why the caged bird sings.

    26. LUPE says – reply to this


      26

      g did they let your son out of prison yet.

    27. Jeremy Jew in Scarsdale says – reply to this


      27

      Perez can you send me that old Negro womans phone number I would like to hire her as my maid. My toilets are really shit stained and I want her to get right on top of it! I want her to hit the ground running. Warn her that I have a metal detector to check for missing silverware!!!

    28. Lady says – reply to this


      28

      Maya Angelou is amazing. I'm glad you featured her on your blog, Perez. We need more people in this world who are famous for actually *doing* something honorable and worthwhile.

      And people who are posting racial slurs on this page are only showing their ignorance. Can you please remove yourself from my gene pool? Go get yourself a Darwin award, asap.

    29. Starla says – reply to this


      29

      Maya's awesome!

      -
      -
      Happy Birthday!

    30. chitchatcat says – reply to this


      30

      That article was awesome. Smiles for Maya!

    31. Rich Jew In Manhattan says – reply to this


      31

      Perez can you send me a new Puerto Rican maid, all my old Ricans robbed me blind. Nobody cleans a toilet bowl like a Rican I tell you! Must be their long tongues you know. I want this Rican to hit the ground running. Warn her that I have a metal detector to check for missing silver and rare coins after that fiasco with Maria and her thirteen daughters. Luckily they were apprehended at the pawn broker's and I retrieved most of my stolen items.

    32. Emily says – reply to this


      32

      Great article. Thanks for finding it!

    33. mega says – reply to this


      33

      great post Perez, and great article. Maya is truly one of the American Literary Treasures.

    34. upplsuck says – reply to this


      34

      seriously i cant believe the racsim on here….its sick. maya angelou is amazing. Perez u need to moniter the use of the n word on here…its NOT COOL

    35. Jennifer says – reply to this


      35

      OMG! Amazing article and an AMAZING WOMAN!!! I am proud that my daughter is her birthday sister!

    36. Jennifer says – reply to this


      36

      Oh, and by the way, I am Jewish and you guys leaving these sick, disgusting, racist comments are a disgrace!

    37. DMAN says – reply to this


      37

      LOOKS LIKE AUNT ESTA FROM SANFORD AND SON
      STICK HER FACE IN SOME DOUGH AND MAKE GORILLA COOKIES

    38. Melissa says – reply to this


      38

      Happy Birthday Ms. Angelou. JOY! She is my favorite author. To all the disrespectful people that left ugly and racist comments shame on you! For those of you who don't know who she is read up on your American History. You might learn a thing or two. Like how to show respect.

    39. DMAN says – reply to this


      39

      Re: Jeremy Jew in Scarsdale –

      LOL FUNNIEST THING I'V HEARD U MADE MY DAY

    40. sunflower says – reply to this


      40

      awesome article thanks so much! I am a Canadian but she is definitely someone everyone should know….not just Americans!

    41. Froggy says – reply to this


      41

      She is such a wonderful example of how a person should be!

    42. KCo says – reply to this


      42

      Stop saying shit like "80 years young". I fucking hate it when people say that.

    43. EMINEM says – reply to this


      43

      SHE MAY LOOK LIKE AUNT ESTA BUT SHE IS A RICH AUNT ESTA AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A FAT, UGLY, GREASY, POVERTY-STRICKEN, GHETTO SPIC JUST LIKE MONKEY FACE, HEROIN ADDICT MARK ANTHONY.

    44. Xandra says – reply to this


      44

      What an interesting, intelligent, and amazing woman! I wasn't aware she had such a colourful past, and suffered through so much even beyond racial discrimination, yet managed to achieve such international acclaim. She should be a role model for all young people, regardless of colour or gender, who face adversity in their lives. Americans should be proud to have her in their history.

    45. ENIMEN says – reply to this


      45

      Re: RICH JEW IN MANHATTAN
      LOL FUNNIEST THING I'VE HEARD U MADE MY DAY!

    46. brooke says – reply to this


      46

      I'll be sure to tell her Happy B-day next weekend when I am up in Winston-Salem. She is the next door neighbor of my in-laws. Oh, and Katherine Heigl's brother in law and his family live on the other side.

    47. xxxx says – reply to this


      47

      One of the greatest, if not the greatest poet of our century. I've read all of her books but two. She truly has a gift for words, a blessed woman and a blessing to readers!

      Ps, to the teenager with the racist comments, remember what you put out comes back to you x 3. So the next time someone shits on your face remember what you wrote today.

    48. Making a Difference says – reply to this


      48

      For all you Canadians who want to make a difference please visit http://darfurchallenge.org/ and register your school today!

      Thank you! :]

    49. SNOOOOOOOORE says – reply to this


      49

      Booooooring story who cares, but the dirty money grubbing hook nose from scarsdale is funny, seig heil!

    50. Da Kingfish says – reply to this


      50

      Holy mackarel Andy, dat be dat gorilla womans who says de rhymes fo de green money. We needs a easy job likes dat. She am uuuuugly but she do have spendin papers. Could buy us a Cadillacs and a case O Thunderbird!
      The wind blows under Maya's nose, as far as poerty goes, she blows. Now pay me bitch!!!

    51. Word of Advise says – reply to this


      51

      Perez, I'm surprised that you would even put something about someone on Maya Angelou's level on your site knowing how ignorant and uneducated your spectators are. Maybe you show stick to posting things about people they can relate to like Madonna and Britney Spears.

    52. Bdub says – reply to this


      52

      One of the most brilliant women to ever walk the earth. Her words move me, challenge me, and inspire me. I hope we have her for many more years to come.

    53. Bdub says – reply to this


      53

      Re: g – You know, I was tempted not to respond to this, but what an asshole you are. This woman is genius - what does the color of her skin have to do with ANYTHING? You're clearly an ignorant, uneducated, hateful bigot. I dread to think YOU may walk the earth for 80 years. What a scumbag you are.

    54. Bdub says – reply to this


      54

      For all the racist scumbags who are slamming this woman in this forum, I hope you all burn in hell you judgmental bittoed assholes. I'm white, by the way. You give us all a bad name. Idiots.

    55. MeMeMe says – reply to this


      55

      Yea!!! Go Maya. I hope you've got another 80 years left in you!

    56. MeMeMe says – reply to this


      56

      I think she's very beautiful in that picture

    57. DaKingfish(a.k.a.)Tito Fuentes says – reply to this


      57

      Holy mackarel Andy, dat like that yallah gorilla spic fat joe who say de rhymes rap fo de green money. wes needs a easy job likes dat, i so tire cleanin the white wumens house. Them FAT JOE be uuuugly spic but he show nough got dat spendin paers. Coulda buy us a low ridin cadillac and a bucket barrels of O thundeinbirds you show nough know how we spics likes to drank. The wind blows under fat Joe's nose, as far as poetry goes, that's a good enough rap for a Rican, he blows, he blows, he blows JLO & Ricky Martin's asshole. NOW PAY ME SPIC!!!!

    58. KING OF MEAN says – reply to this


      58

      The most OVERRATED writer in history. How many of you can name even ONE of her books… that's what I though, just about NONE of you. And she's turning 80?? The picture makes her look NINETY. The Oprah! fawns all over this woman. She talks in this slow, effected speech, as if every syllable she has to say is just SOOoooo frickin' important. ZZZZzzzzzz. I'm reading BORAT's book: it's really funny.

    59. Luis says – reply to this


      59

      HE, stop ragging on me, I'm just a poor Puerto Rican woman having a little fun. It's tough being a Puerto Rican in America when all the White people and Black people are the ones contributing to society, winning the awards, earning all the fame, glory and accolades while we Puerto Ricans are looked down as useless.

    60. Martinezthe man says – reply to this


      60

      Damn, can't a spic get a break in this world. Shit.

    61. Tammy of the North says – reply to this


      61

      Happy Birthday Maya, you are beautiful! (Not that you're reading this, but stranger things have happened!)

    62. martinalutherking says – reply to this


      62

      Unlike most of the morons here, U.S.A. Today finally has brains enough to recognize someone w/ talent and poise.

      P.S. - If you are ignorant enough not to know how Maya Angelou is thats not a reflection on Ms. Angelou its a reflection on how stupid you are. Get off of PerezHilton every now and then a read a fucking book.

    63. jimmyjazz says – reply to this


      63

      Re: g – #13 UMM OK…I'M GUESSING/ HOPING YOU'RE A TWELVE YEAR OLD BECAUSE IF YOU'RE AN ADULT POSTING SOMETHING LIKE THAT YOU PROBABLY HAVE NO EDUCATION AND NO GOALS AND I COULDN'T POSSIBLY IMAGINE THAT YOU HAVE ANY FRIENDS.

    64. Alex says – reply to this


      64

      I had the privledge of meeting Dr Angelou when I worked as a concierge in the 90's. She signed a copy of of her book to me and wrote JOY next to my name. When I shook her hand, she held on to it for a while longer than most people would, looked me in the eyes and said "Just be be with me". I almost started to cry. I never forget what a beautiful moment that was.

    65. hjc says – reply to this


      65

      i met her once, it was about 10 years ago, she was sauced & mean.

    66. Jenn says – reply to this


      66

      Thank you for adding this…and thank you for the headline "In Celebration". Dr. Angelou is greater than mere royalty, she is the world's matriarch!

    67. melinda says – reply to this


      67

      Re: Xandra –

      Yup. She's achieved more in her life than most people will ever come near to.
      Happy birthday, Maya.

    68. Nicole says – reply to this


      68

      That was really nice Perez, thank you for sharing.

      Happy birthday to you too by the way. :)

    69. Kareel says – reply to this


      69

      Re: Kavee –

      #20 - why don't you take your dumb site and shove it where the sun don't shine.

    70. McKenna says – reply to this


      70

      This is a nice lady but I have never been able to get into one of her books, not my thing I guess.

    71. Ihavedirt says – reply to this


      71

      My father used to tell me stories about young Maya. Doing laundry and turning tricks to make ends meet. When he watched Clintons inaug. his reaction was "What's that old whore doing there?" Now she might be a "great" inspiration to some she will always be a funny memory of my dad's to me. :)

    72. Evo says – reply to this


      72

      That woman is such an inspiration! May she live for many more years to come!

    73. Bdub says – reply to this


      73

      Re: KING OF MEAN – Name one book? Shit dude, how ’bout "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." It's a fucking classic. Want more? How ’bout "Still I Rise," one of the most incredible poems ever put on paper. It was written and read by her for Bill Clinton's innauguration. What kind of Harlequin Romance shit are you reading if you think Maya Angelou is overrated? Get back to the National Enquirer . . . if you can understand it.

    74. DIETcokeQUEEN says – reply to this


      74

      awesome read

    75. jasminek says – reply to this


      75

      amazing woman. brought me to tears when she came to speak at a nearby college…

    76. RADICAL QUEEN says – reply to this


      76

      MAYA ANGELOU IS A TRUE AMERICAN ICON, AND A LIFE LONG HERO OF MINE. "I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS" IS ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT WORKS I'VE EVER READ….AND BTW….MAYA SUPPORTS ANOTHER HERO OF MINE…HILLARY CLINTON…SO EAT SHIT OPRAH, YOU SMUG BITCH…HAPPY BIRTHDAY MS ANGELOU…MAY YOU HAVE MANY MANY MORE….THE FEWER THE BETTER FOR YOU OPRAH !!!!!!!!~!

    77. me says – reply to this


      77

      some people are so ignorant. no matter what they'll always be racist ignorant ass pricks. there is no need to disrespect dr. angelou!

    78. jimmyjazz says – reply to this


      78

      FOR MY BIRTHDAY I WANT SALLY KERN TO DON A BLACK LEATHER HARNESS AND GIVE ME A LAPDANCE TO "SEXY BACK"

    79. Erica says – reply to this


      79

      Maya Angelou looks AMAZING. "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" is one of my favorite novels, and she is such a great writer!

    80. SCARSBORO JEW says – reply to this


      80

      Re: Alex –
      your a bigger fag than perez
      the reason she was shaking your hand
      so long, was she was stealing your wallet
      to buy crack and poppers
      you don't know you'r butt from you'r rear end

    81. Mark M says – reply to this


      81

      Saw her in person years back. Wanted to like her. Dumb as a stump!

    82. carlos l. says – reply to this


      82

      i met maya,in boston a bunch of times as her limo driver, she is very kind,friendly and a wonderful person ,she would always hug me and give me a kiss on the chick,i ll never forget her,god bless her.

    83. mamasaid says – reply to this


      83

      Happy Birthday Dr. Angelou! God bless you!

      And for the rest of y'all ; this is a great human being!

    84. mamasaid says – reply to this


      84

      wow … um, i just read the other comments and i pray that Maya is NOT a reader of perezhilton. i love perez' site but i think some of these comments are really disgusting and hurtful. however, i AM very happy to read the positive comments - they outweigh the negative ones. Oh and g, and jew in scarsdale and rich jew in manhattan: the dead are watching … shame on you.

    85. tome says – reply to this


      85

      clinton loving nigga bitch

    86. LANA says – reply to this


      86

      Re: g – WOW, THE WHOLE PACKAGE. SMART & ORIGINA.L

    87. cohqbayni ewatbunik says – reply to this


      87

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