Amanda Gorman obtained unexpected visibility by reciting one of her poems during the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20. And as we will see, the presence of the young 22-year-old poet at this event was not by chance. For the brilliant Harvard graduate, where she studied sociology and who was crowned “best young poet” at just 19, literary fame is only one step on the road to the White House.
Her political ambitions sprouted at the age of 11 when one of her teachers pointed out to her that she should run. A suggestion that she is determined to take literally, since she estimates that she will be able to do so in 2036. “I think that to get closer to the impossible, you must first do as if it were reachable, ”she explained in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
Poetry to the rescue of politics
Initially, Amanda Gorman saw in her poetic activity the beginnings of her entry into politics. But she has since realized that words would be her best allies for the future. “Being able to talk to people like Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi made me realize that I didn’t need to change who I am to be a leader,” she continued, adding : “All I can hope for is that my poetry is what will give people the language of hope in which they can begin to save themselves. “
However, the young woman is not fooled by the realities of the political world: “I have always understood the potential of the presidency or the political office as being both formidable and just as toxic and terrible. “
So let’s hope that poetry will save Amanda Gorman from the poisonous bites that she will not fail to receive during the course that awaits her. And if words are often of little reach when it comes to obtaining social justice, it will be argued that they open the way to action and make the wait for a better tomorrow bearable.
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