“If Only We’re Brave Enough to Be It”

Like many people, the first time I heard the name Amanda Gorman was Jan. 20. After watching her recite her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” I’m sure her name will not be forgotten. This 22-year-old is the first to do a lot of things: she became the first National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017, the youngest poet to recite at an inauguration and the first poet to be commissioned to write and perform at the Super Bowl. She has rapidly become a national sensation.

Her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” echoes the trials America has faced in the past and faces currently. Her poem referenced everything from Hamilton to the Bible; the words echoed Martin Luther King Jr’s and JFK’s. Her poem is full of hope and resolute in looking toward a brighter future.

“And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us

but what stands before us

We close the divide because we know, to put our future first,

we must first put our differences aside”

Her performance touched the soul of America, stating that there is always hope if we will be it. 

That may be what’s most admirable about Gorman. She does not just write lofty ideals. She lives what she writes. In her acceptance speech for the title of National Youth Poet Laureate, she stated, “I am so grateful to be part of this cohort of young creatives who are taking up their pens to have a voice for what is right and what is just. I don’t just want to write – I want to do right as well.” Gorman is actively involved in improving her community. She is the founder of an organization, One Pen One Page, which provides free creative writing programs for underserved youth.

Gorman encourages and celebrates others who work to make a difference in their corner of the world. Her poem at the Super Bowl, “Chorus of Captains,” was an ode to three individuals for their service to the community through their essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were a lot of mixed opinions of poetry being included in a sports event, but many people and poets are excited about Gorman’s performance and work. They have called her work “accessible” because it is opening up poetry to the masses. Her poem for the Super Bowl was direct and formulated for her audience as she was reading for a crowd who may not be familiar with poetry.

In 2007, Gorman commented on her journey, stating, “For me, being able to stand on a stage as a spoken word poet, as someone who overcame a speech impediment, as the descendent of slaves who would have been prosecuted for reading and writing, I think it really symbolizes how, by pursuing a passion and never giving up, you can go as far as your wildest dreams”

Sierra Lastine is a sophomore

English literature major from

Grand Junction, Colo.