Amanda Gorman, inaugural poet, says she was 'tailed' by a security guard on her walk home
Updated: 10:18 AM CST Mar 6, 2021
By Kelly Murray and Alta Spells, CNN
Amanda Gorman, inaugural poet, says she was 'tailed' by a security guard on her walk home
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Updated: 10:18 AM CST Mar 6, 2021
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mhm. We've learned that quiet isn't always piece in the norms and notions of what just is isn't always just is on one of the biggest stages in the world, Amanda Gorman delivered more than just words for many. She delivered hope. Where can we find light? The 22 year old Harvard grad and activist says she was struggling to finish her speech for the Biden Harris inauguration when the siege happened on Capitol Hill. What it did is it energized me even more to believe that much more firmly in a message of hope and community and healing. Her words resonated around the world. Pre orders for her to new books skyrocketed. More than four million people followed her on Twitter and Instagram, and she attracted even more famous fans. Oprah, already an admirer, gifted her that incredible ring Canadians to connected with Gorman's message. Ontario English teacher Doreen Bonsu was so impressed she discussed Gorman's poem with her high school students. I think from my students when they see Amanda, I hope they can also see themselves, Bonsu says. This year they've had discussions around racism and inequality and most recently, the siege on Capitol Hill and a lot of my students were feeling frustrated. They were surprised they were anxious, and it's really neat to see how. Now, after reading the poem, there's a sense of hope and unity. Ashwin Jazz well was in her class today. It was super inspiring. It felt like one day I could be up there. You deserve more than a poem. Anisha Patel, Edmonton's poet laureate, says Gorman's work reflects an exciting time for new, diverse generation of authors whose predecessors had been stifled. What we're seeing is that realization is coming to light, and that possibility is so endless, she says. There are many young voices like Amanda Gorman's just waiting for a chance to be heard for. There was always light, if only were brave enough to see it, if only were brave enough to be it To Shauna Reid, CBC News, Toronto