The beauty and utility of Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" comes from its frankness. And I do mean exactly that. It's poesy comes from Maya's courage to say what needs to be said and it is useful in that this frankness allows for a sort of understanding that permits useful discussion on tough topics.

What is the purpose of the book? On the surface, it is a string of recollections from the childhood of Maya Angelou. This, of course, is merely a vehicle for analyzing what it was like growing up in a racist atmosphere and the culture that resulted from the segregation that discrimination formed. It clarifies why some cultural development took place and why certain assumptions of the white man are inaccurate and hurtful.

I believe that it is because of this frankness on the topic of racism as well as rape that this book has been criticized for being required reading in some high schools. I believe that such criticism is evidence that books like "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" are needed in our society and ought to be required reading. I wish I was required to read it in high school.