Powerful Inspiration
I love all the pageantry of an inauguration. There is the majesty of the Capitol Dome as a backdrop. There are the military bands playing patriotic songs. There are the former presidents seated together—not by party affiliation but by the office they held.
On January 20, 2021, if you were watching the Inauguration, you witnessed a remarkable event. Not only did a new President and Vice President take their oaths of office. Not only did Lady Gaga sing our National Anthem and Jennifer Lopez remind us that this land is ours, but a 22-year-old poet from California, the National Youth Poet Laureate, recited a poem she’d written that sent shivers down my spine. I think most of will agree that the star that rose from that day on the steps of the Capitol was this young poet from Santa Monica, CA.
Amanda Gorman at 22 years of age showed more poise than many people three times her age. She walked up to the podium, after a step was placed for her to stand on so her face would show above the microphones. Without missing a beat, she read a poem that was so powerful and so on point that it was hard to believe she’d written it. And we found out that she’d had to revise it just two weeks prior when the Capitol where she was standing to read her poem was targeted by a mob of insurgents.
Not surprising, she became an overnight sensation—adding almost a million Twitter followers in a day. However, according to those who know her, this was nothing out of the ordinary for young Amanda. She’s been inspiring people her entire life.
Her 10th grade teacher, Alexandria Gazzaniga Padilla says she “used to save Amanda’s pages to read last so she could savor every word.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center wrote, “The future is us: Amanda Gorman’s powerful inaugural poem inspired us to reflect on our past and rise together.”
These days, I will take inspiration where I can find it and I certainly was inspired by Ms. Gorman. Here are the closing words of her poem:
“When day comes we step out of the shadows
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, 2021
Barbara Mitchell