“I can hear change humming
In its loudest, proudest song.
I don’t fear change coming,
And so I sing along.”
“I’m the daughter of Black writers. We’re descended from freedom fighters who broke through chains and change the world. They call me”
Of course you do! How can you not love strength, courage, political activism for equality and lyrical brilliance?
Amanda Gorman is America’s youth poet laureate who recently stole the show at Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ Presidential inauguration. She is the embodiment of progress and hope.
Gorman is an inspiration on multiple levels ranging from the political to the personal. She is able to use her powerful voice as a call to unite and create political change. She’s brought back poetry and has helped the genre to once again rise to the level of a vehicle for social and political change. The NYT put together several great lessons on this for your kids that you can find here. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/learning/lesson-of-the-day-amanda-gorman-and-the-hill-we-climb.amp.html
“While democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith, we trust.”
Want to rewatch Amanda’s powerful poem at the inauguration? Who doesn’t? You can watch her here. https://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_gorman_the_hill_we_climb/up-next
Amanda Gorman is not just brilliant but incredibly perseverant. At 5, Gorman was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder and a speech impediment. She learned to use that as as a strength. She found and honed her voice to craft her very personal poem, “The Hill We Climb.”Her poem is an inspiration for all of us to unite, be resilient and continue to have hope.
You can access a free lesson plan from PBS here: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons-plans/lesson-plan-discuss-22-year-old-amanda-gormans-inaugural-poem-the-miracle-morning/?fbclid=IwAR3v6sB_tMh0SadeWEU7gZljA9CBXLNVWM-PZhPeX7xcJDE6JjR1syFN-AA
Amanda wants you to use your voice as a political choice. You can hear her Ted Talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_gorman_using_your_voice_is_a_political_choice/transcript?language=en
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