Inauguration|Brave New Words

On January 20, 2021, many witnessed the 46th United States President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. and 49th Vice-President Kamala Devi Harris’ inauguration. At the dawn of a new decade, we saw many firsts on this auspicious occasion. For one, the first Black Jamaican-Indian-Asian Woman ascended to the vice president’s office. Another, Biden, the oldest man to be sworn in as president. And to celebrate their feat, we heard from the youngest inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman, who honored them both while helping to heal a nation with her poem “The Hill We Climb.”

Wednesday, wasn’t the first time I heard from Gorman. So, I knew she came to slay. What I didn’t know is this 22-year-old, first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate, who graduated cum laude from Harvard University, would shake the nation from its slumber. Gorman reminded us that we stared into the abyss and almost didn’t make it back. Then she told us to get it together, America; our job isn’t finished yet.

“while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated.”

She used concepts from the award-winning play “Hamilton. Gorman’s performance caught the attention of its creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. He tweeted her praises. On Good Morning America, he told Gorman

“The right words in the right order can change the world and you proved that yesterday.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda

She reminded us of bravery through her use of scripture. Gorman said she used words that repeatedly assaulted our sensibilities over the last four years and wrested them back to exalt us and remind us of our own inherent power.

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.

The Hill We Climb – Amanda Gorman

Today, Gorman has the number one bestseller for her yet-to-be-published poetry collection. The inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” is included in the collection. The hardcover published by Penguin Random House under the Viking imprint has a release date of September 21, 2021. Visit theamandagorman.com for updates on this phenomenal young woman!

H/ T Fashionista, GMA,