What is the theme of the poem

One of the central themes in this poem is that of oppression. The poet speaks of the legacy of oppression, making references to the suffering of black people throughout history. She condemns the oppressors—ostensibly, white people—with great fierceness. She will make her “slave” ancestors proud by rising above their suffering and defying the oppressors.

More points on the theme of oppression by Maya Angelou's poem of Still I Rise