Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” is a piece of joyous empowerment through and through. It showcases Angelou playfully taunting her oppressor, linking colossal objects (oil wells, moon, ocean) to her strength and repeating “I rise” as if in song. It’s a message of hope that can speak to those suffering from relationship violence and abuse, as it encourages people to recognize their self worth and “rise” in the face of wrongs committed against them.

"Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard."

Despite the wrongdoings committed against her, Angelou refuses to play the “victim.” The gold mines in her backyard suggest she has a strong sense of self worth; her laughter that she remains in good spirits.

"Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise"

She puts the frightening experiences of her past behind her and looks optimistically towards the future.

The full poem can be found here: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/175742