This week we celebrate poet and activist, Amanda Gorman. At just 22, Amanda was asked to recite her poem, ‘The Hill we Climb’ at President Joe Bidens inauguration on 20 January 2021.
Amanda’s poetry touches on subjects of oppression, feminism, race and marginalisation. She is the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate in the U.S.
In her @Ted Talk “Using your voice is a political choice” she talks about the power that poetry can have in making a difference to the way we live and the systems we are currently living with.
She begins by citing her mantra as a poet:
“I am the daughter of black writers,
we are descended from freedom fighters
who broke their chains and changed the world
- they call me.”
And goes on to talk about how intertwined poetry and politics are. “Because all art is political. The decision to create, the artistic choice to have a voice, the choice to be heard is the most political act of all.”
‘The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country’ by Amanda Gorman is available to purchase at various places online or you can watch her recital here: bit.ly/TheHillWeClimbVideo