After Biden was sworn in, Gorman, who was named the first US national youth poet laureate in 2017, gave a powerful, five-minute performance.
Amid a slew of high-profile performers on Wednesday during Biden’s inauguration, it was the lesser-known Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in US history, who held the audience spellbound and won many hearts on the internet.
After Biden was sworn in, Gorman, who was named the first US national youth poet laureate in 2017, gave a powerful, five-minute performance.
The 22-year-old called for Americans to “leave behind a country better than the one we were left”.
“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.”
Her performance was praised by a number of celebrities, including Michelle Obama, who sat just behind Gorman as she spoke.
“With her strong and poignant words, @TheAmandaGorman reminds us of the power we each hold in upholding our democracy. Keep shining, Amanda! I can’t wait to see what you do next,” the former First Lady said.
Comparing her performance to the late poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey said: “I have never been prouder to see another young woman rise! Brava Brava, @TheAmandaGorman!Maya Angelou is cheering – and so am I.”
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
