Amanda Gorman watched in horror as white supremacist terrorists stormed the Capitol like a swarm of destructive locusts. It was an insurrection! But what made this young poet even more angry?
The police were clearly treating these disrespectful rioters with kid gloves! If there had been Black people storming the Capitol for Black Lives Matter, she knew it would have been a blood bath – but what could she do?
This was supposed to be her moment. She was the first National Youth Poet Laureate, and the youngest poet ever set to read at a Presidential Inauguration. How could she represent herself, yet write something constructive and forward-thinking amid such ugliness?
By telling the truth! This was our America, still battling its demons but brimming with potential. Although Gorman wanted to scream or cry, instead she began to write.
What came from her was a treatise; a stunning poem that empowered our people while telling the truth – there WAS inequality, and Black people STILL faced tremendously difficult odds, but we could get through this with a sense of unity in our community. Racists would not win!
By telling the truth and using our gifts in the service of our people, we can spark a revolution that represents Black Excellence and empowers our community while stunning the world!