Amanda Gorman: Inaugural Poet and Future President?

Activist and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman dazzled audiences after reciting original poems at both President Biden’s Inauguration on January 20th and the Super Bowl on February 7th. At just twenty-two years old, Gorman is not only the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, but she is also the first poet to recite at a Super Bowl game, a Harvard graduate, an author, a non-profit founder, a Genius Grant recipient, a TEDEd speaker, and much more. 

Only provided with vague instructions to enforce the theme of “America United” at the President’s swearing-in ceremony, Gorman performed her poem “The Hill We Climb” in front of millions of Americans. Given that the Inauguration was just weeks after protestors stormed the Capitol, this task to create unity was much easier said than done. Instead of disregarding these tumultuous events, Gorman wove them into the poem. She wanted to “envision a way in which our country can still come together and can still heal… in a way that is not erasing or neglecting the harsh truths I think America needs to reconcile with.” 

Upon hearing Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb,” former First Lady Michelle Obama remarked that “the power of [Gorman’s] words blew [her] away—but it was more than that. It was [Gorman’s] presence onstage, the confidence [she] exuded as a young Black woman helping to turn the page to a more hopeful chapter in American leadership.” Among others, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, politician Stacey Abrams, television host Oprah Winfrey, and Hamilton playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda were also quick to praise her performance. 

Only about a month later, she participated in yet another nationally viewed event: the Super Bowl. Her poem “Chorus of the Captains” highlights three individuals: Marine veteran James Marin, educator Trimaine Davis, and ICU nurse manager Suzie Dorner. Gorman once again promoted a message of unity, encouraging listeners to stand with these honorary captains: “for while we honor them today, it is they who every day honor us.”

One would never guess based on her performances that she struggled with a speech impediment growing up. An auditory processing disorder that she developed as a baby later caused the letter ‘r’ to be extremely difficult to pronounce. Rather than viewing this challenge as an inhibitor to her success, Gorman says, “I always saw it as a strength because since I was experiencing these obstacles in terms of my auditory and vocal skills, I became really good at reading and writing.” 

Gorman’s perseverance in her personal endeavors and compelling messages in her performances make her an inspiration to youth all across the country. According to Tyra Jenkins, a high school English teacher in Maryland, Gorman’s poetry gives her students confidence in public speaking and a motivation to start “expressing their political voices.” 

Though Gorman quickly rose into the spotlight, she does not plan on leaving it any time soon; in an interview with The L.A. Times, she announced that she plans to run for President as soon as she is eligible in 2036. “Once little girls can see it, little girls can be it. Because they can be anything that they want.”

~

“When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid.

The new dawn blooms as we free it.

For there is always light.

If only we’re brave enough to see it.

If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

– Amanda Gorman, “The Hill We Climb”