Before this morning, not many people knew Amanda Gordon, the youngest ever inaugural poet, but I can guarantee her Google analytics are probably through the roof even as I’m typing this. As he performed her poem “The Hill We Climb”, I had chills. First Lady Jill Biden is a fan of her work, and convinced the committee that she would be a great fit. Well, props to you First Lady, you were absolutely right. Just take a moment to reflect on this excerpt from her poem:
“We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it,
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed,
It can never be permanently defeated.
In this truth, in this faith we trust.
For while we have our eyes on the future,
History has its eyes on us.”
A Native of Los Angeles, Amanda Gordon already boasts an impressive resume at 22; In 2014 at just 16, she was named Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, and then at 19 the first National Youth Poet Laureate. She’s performed everywhere from the Library of Congress, to the observation deck at the Empire State Building. If that’s not inspiring enough, she has publicly announced her plan to run for President in 2036, which is the first election cycle where she will be old enough to run; and, in September, she will release “Change Sings”, the first of her two children’s books. You go girl! I am inspired, and I can’t wait to see what she does next. Keep her on your radar, this definitely isn’t the last we’ll be hearing about this young woman, and for good reason.
Candace Green is a Birmingham, Alabama transplant by way of Washington DC. She enjoys reading, writing, cooking and eating amazing food, and Marvel movies. She is an author and blogger. You can follow her on IG: c_dog93
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