At the beginning of the year, she was a talented and respectable poet, a Harvard University graduate, and the former National Youth Poet Laureate for the USA. However, the phrase ‘changed overnight’ has never rung quite so true as for 22-year-old Amanda Gorman, whose immaculate delivery of her poem ‘The Hill We Climb’ at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, gripped the guests at the White House and those of us watching from afar, and truly shook the idle rut in which many of us find ourselves in these trying times.
Resonating with young Americans, particularly those in ethnic minorities, the 723 word-long poem married well with the patriotism and pride of the grand inauguration ceremony, capturing the essence of American history, but also evoking a firm sense of transition and release from the Trump administration. It hinted at hope and excitement for the prosperity of the United States, and a strong future secured by its youth, a reality so desperately craved by many Americans.
Rising quickly in social media, Gorman gained over 2 million Instagram followers in one day after her rumbling display on that cold January Wednesday. However, there is no doubt that Gorman’s success began before her fame and recognition following the ceremony. Born in Los Angeles in 1998 and raised by a single mother, Gorman was a gifted student, graduating ‘cum laude’ from the Ivy League school afore mentioned. Her degree in sociology, and her experience as a young black woman, specifically a member of the church of Black Catholicism, made the themes of oppression and marginalisation an all-too-familiar characteristic of her life, informing her work as both poet and an activist.
We must absolutely commend Gorman’s confident and captivating delivery of her poetry, her short time in the inauguration ceremony rivalling in entertainment value the musical renditions by singers Jennifer Lopez, Garth Brooks and Lady Gaga. With her performative and enticing manner, and her exquisite skills of enunciation and clarity, the poem was for many, one of the more entertaining components of the ceremony.
It was interesting to learn that Gorman worked through a speech impediment as a child, something which she never viewed as an inhibition, but instead as a gift. Gorman attributes some of her improvement through her speech obstacles to the rap-style music of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical ‘Hamilton’ a show renowned for its cleverly crafted dialogue, densely packed lyrics and youthful tone. Therefore, it is no surprise that Gorman’s delivery invoked such high appraisal from all generations, her refreshing and impactful words landing on the ears of millions in a similarly compelling way.
In the wake of 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests, there is a massive shift occurring worldwide regarding racial inequality. It has seen the overdue rise and recognition of many BIPOC artists, creators and activists, and is transforming the narrative of cultural and social acceptance. Along with the monumental swearing-in of Kamala Harris as the first female VP and first VP of colour, Gorman’s appearance at the inauguration, combined with the poignant message of her work absolutely illustrated a picture of change, progression and hope.
Gorman has been hailed by fellow black female activists and public figures Oprah Winfrey and Michella Obama as an inspiration to young women, young poets, young people of colour and young Americans. She unearthed a ‘coolness’ to poetry and has found an engaging way to effectively convey her powerful and necessary message through this otherwise underappreciated art form. She encapsulates the potential, freshness, beauty and maturity of youth in today’s society and her sure future success has now been etched out. We are intrigued to see what she does next.