Maya Angelou's upbringing in the South profoundly influenced her work and identity. Growing up in Stamps, Arkansas, she experienced the harsh realities of racism, segregation, and trauma, particularly during her childhood when she was sexually abused. These experiences shaped her voice as a writer and activist, as she often drew upon her personal history in her autobiographies, particularly in "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings". Angelou's journey turned her struggles into sources of strength and inspiration, helping to highlight issues of race, identity, and resilience.