Youngest inaugural poet signifies the potential and poise in the next generation

The world watched a few weeks ago as the youngest inaugural poet in United States history took her time on the stage to piece our nation back together in the name of unity, justice and the progress within our reach. 

Amanda Gorman was able to add being a part of the Biden Administration’s inaugural team to the top of her list of achievements, along with another presidential invitation from the Obama White House to perform for Lin-Manuel Miranda, Al Gore, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, and others. 

Gorman has been commissioned for poems for numerous high profile outlets and she has spoken at events and venues across the country, including the Library of Congress and Lincoln Center. She has received a Genius Grant from OZY Media, as well as recognition from Scholastic Inc., YoungArts, the Glamour magazine College Women of the Year Awards and the Webby Awards. She has written for the New York Times newsletter,The Edit, and penned the manifesto for Nike’s 2020 Black History Month campaign.

In this resurgence of discussion about racial inequity in our United States, and entering into a new era with a new president who claims racial progress as one of his key objectives, Gorman’s performance was a start indicating real and true intent to change. Gorman was able to evoke the kind of representation for younger generations of BIPOC that can allow them to dream big and see themselves with all of the potential they can dream of.

In this Black History Month, when events like these are often brought and paraded out to the forefront, it is important to note that Gorman is not the exception of Black Excellence or to be treated as some kind of deviance from the pattern. 

Gorman represents, instead, the resilience, power, thoughtfulness, and, let’s be honest, amazing fashion taste (her outfit I mean hello!) that the next generation of BIPOC has within them. 

Wofford College students and faculty have provided numerous resources in order to both learn about figures like Gorman, or become them! 

Dr. Whitfill offers a Poetry Workshop where you can advance your skills from beginners to professionals. Consider finding those three spare hours in your schedule. 

Dr. Gillian Young, this semester, has offered a course that explores the concept of African Diaspora, a field with which Amanda Gorman was particularly fascinated and wrote about often. 

In addition to formal courses, resources on racial work and injustice can be found through our student-led and faculty supported groups like the Wofford Anti-Racism Coalition, Wofford Women of Color, Wofford Men of Color, and others.