Like many others watching the inauguration of Joe Biden, I was captivated by the poet Amanda Gorman (the nation's first-ever youth poet laureate!). During the ceremony, she read aloud a piece she wrote called "The Hill We Climb". The poem speaks to hope and healing; challenging us to "leave behind a country better than the one we were left". Her words about love, change, and ensuring the future for our next generation were inspiring. It so perfectly captured the emotions of the present moment while also encouraging us to reflect back on our past. It was particularly moving when thinking about Kamala Harris, who just became the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian to ever be elected Vice President of the United States. And as I was listening I couldn't help but feel her passion. Her words were beautiful, and sharp, and left me completely inspired. This project shares a small clip of Amanda reading her poem. While the whole thing is about five minutes long and every word amazing, this particular portion really stood out to me. The ending especially. If you haven't heard the whole thing yet I would encourage you to do so as there is so much to reflect on when taking it all in at once. I hope you find this clip as inspirational as I have. Because Amanda is right, there is always light to be discovered <3 -- I think it would be really awesome to see this animated, or perhaps as a PMV, or artwork inspired by her words! Please do remix to add your own interpretations of this wonderful poem. I would love to see what you make ^.^ Be sure to check out the Poetic Cafe studio: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/28659922/
I think it would be really awesome to see this animated, or perhaps as a PMV, or artwork inspired by her words! Please do remix to add your own interpretations of this wonderful poem. I would love to see what you make ^.^ Be sure to check out the Poetic Cafe studio: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/28659922/ - - - - - Artwork: Created in Illustrator Font: Libel Suit Rg Audio: A small clip of the amazing poetry read by Amanda Gorman Music: Hallelujah (Instrumental) found in this project by Photo: Amanda Gorman at the inauguration of Biden - - - [Transcription of this portion of Amanda's poem] Now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us? We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be. A country that is bruised, but whole, benevolent, but bold, fierce, and free. We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation. Our blunders become their burdens. But one thing is certain, if we merge mercy with might and might with right then love becomes our legacy and change our children’s birthright. So let us leave behind a country better than one we were left. With every breath from my bronze-pounded chest we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one. We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the West. We will rise from the wind-swept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution. We will rise from the Lake Rim cities of the Midwestern states. We will rise from the sun-baked South. We will rebuild, reconcile and recover in every known nook of our nation, in every corner called our country. Our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful. When day comes, we step out of the shade 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.
