American poet Amanda Gorman
Credit: © Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock

February is Black History Month, an annual observance of the achievements and culture of Black Americans. This month, Behind the Headlines will feature Black pioneers in a variety of areas.

American poet Amanda Gorman performed at the presidential inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden in 2021. She read her poem “The Hill We Climb” at a pivotal time in United States history. She became the youngest poet to read at a presidential inauguration. The poem, composed for the occasion, included references to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, just two weeks before the inauguration. In the attack, rioters supporting outgoing President Donald J. Trump stormed the building in an attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election, which Biden won. As a twenty-two-year-old Black woman, Gorman spoke for millions of people who were scared, frustrated, and distraught over the recent events. Gorman quickly gained widespread attention after the inauguration as a symbol of hope and a gifted poet.

Amanda Sarah Chase Gorman was born March 7, 1998, in Los Angeles, California. Her twin sister is the filmmaker Gabrielle Gorman. Growing up, Amanda was challenged with a speech impediment that involved difficulty pronouncing some speech sounds. She shares this struggle with President Biden who overcame a childhood stutter. In 2014, at age 16, she was named Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate. In 2017, she was named the first National Youth Poet Laureate in the United States by the youth writing program Urban Word. She earned a B.A. degree in sociology from Harvard University in 2020. Gorman’s work includes themes of feminism and racial oppression.

Gorman’s writings have been published in a number of newspapers and periodicals. She also has written and presented poems for a variety of special events. Such events include the Library of Congress ceremony held when the writer Tracy K. Smith began her term as U.S. poet laureate in 2017, and the inauguration of a new university president at Harvard in 2018. Gorman’s first published collection of poetry was The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough (2015). A special collectible edition of her poem “The Hill We Climb” was published in March 2021.

In Gorman’s first children’s book, Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem (2021), a girl with a guitar invites other children to join a musical journey on which they discover ways to help people in their community. The book was illustrated by the American author and illustrator Loren Long.

Call Us What We Carry: Poems was also published in 2021. It includes the poem “The Hill We Climb” as well as a collection of new poems in which Gorman explores struggle and hope both in the past and during current events.

American poet Amanda Gorman
Credit: © Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock

April is National Poetry Month, an annual celebration of this unique form of literature. Each week, Behind the Headlines will feature the art of poetry or a famous poet. 

On January 20, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. On the west front of the United States Capitol, musicians performed, religious leaders prayed, and a new president delivered an inaugural address. Among the many speakers was the American poet Amanda Gorman. A 22-year-old Black woman, Gorman became the youngest poet to read at a presidential inauguration.

The poem, titled “The Hill We Climb,” was written for the occasion and referenced the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, just two weeks before the inauguration. In the attack, rioters supporting outgoing President Donald Trump stormed the building in an attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election, which Biden won. Gorman’s poem read in part:

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.

In this truth, in this faith, we trust.

For while we have our eyes on the future,

history has its eyes on us.

Many observers described Gorman’s performance as extremely moving, bringing the poem’s beautiful, powerful words to life. Her expressive voice guided listeners through the past, present, and future of the United States. The poem and her performance were met with much acclaim.

Gorman was born in 1998 in Los Angeles, California. She struggled with a speech impediment as a child. Gorman studied at Harvard University. She had her first published collection of poetry with The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough (2015). Her work includes themes of feminism and racial oppression. In 2017, she was named the first U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate by the youth writing program Urban Word NYC in cooperation with the Library of Congress.

Gorman became one of only a few poets to perform at a presidential inauguration, joining such legends as Maya Angelou and Robert Frost. In 1993, Angelou performed the poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Frost recited his poem “The Gift Outright” at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.

Quarterback Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tosses a pass during Super Bowl LV. The Bucs beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9, giving Brady his seventh Super Bowl championship.
Credit: © Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

On Sunday, February 7, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in the Super Bowl, at the Buccaneers’ home field in Tampa, Florida. The game was both one for the ages and a battle of the ages. Forty-three-year-old quarterback Tom Brady of the Buccaneers faced off against 25-year-old quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs. Brady, a now seven-time Super Bowl champion, cemented his legacy as the GOAT, an abbreviation popular with fans for greatest of all time. Mahomes, a one-time Super Bowl champion, has been called the Baby GOAT, but the young star may have a long career ahead in which to attempt to steal Brady’s title. Brady became the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl and the oldest player ever to appear in one.

Professional football’s championship game is known for its powerful performances—both athletic and musical. The night began with the R&B singer-songwriter H.E.R. singing “America the Beautiful.” Then the country music singer-songwriter Eric Church and the R&B and hip-hop singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan shared the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman performed an original poem about the game’s three honorary captains. The captains were celebrated for their work in such fields as education, medicine, and veterans’ affairs, particularly in a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic (global outbreak of disease) and massive protests against racism and police violence in the wake of the George Floyd killing. Gorman became the first poet to recite a poem at the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs scored first, putting three points on the board. It was not until the last minute of the first quarter that the Buccaneers scored. Brady passed to tight end Rob Gronkowksi for a touchdown. (Gronkowski and Brady had played nine seasons together with the New England Patriots.) Gronkowski scored again a few minutes later, giving Tampa Bay a 14-3 lead. The Chiefs then scored another field goal. But the Buccaneers scored another touchdown, extending the lead to 21-6 at the half.

The Super Bowl is known for its halftime show, which has featured such famous musicians as Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, and Prince. This year, the Canadian R&B singer, songwriter, and music producer The Weeknd performed. He sang a selection of his hits, including “Blinded by the Lights,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” and “Starboy.”

To start the second half, the Chiefs scored yet another field goal, cutting the lead to 21-9. But, that field goal would be the last score of the night for Kansas City. Halfway through the third quarter, the Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette ran for 27 yards to score Tampa Bay’s fourth and final touchdown of the night. Following an interception, the Buccaneers’ kicker Ryan Succop scored the final points of the game, with a 52-yard field goal.

In the United States, the Super Bowl has become basically another holiday, with parties, festive foods, and gifts. (Well, at least the victors receive gifts—big, shiny rings.) But, like so many holidays this past year, this Super Bowl looked different than in years past. In many places, efforts are being made to prevent the spread of  COVID-19. Such efforts often include social distancing, meant to limit contact among people and thus the spread of germs. This year’s Super Bowl featured limited seating, and the fans in attendance were spaced for safety. Many of the fans were vaccinated healthcare workers who had been given free tickets to the game. Fans were also given masks and hand sanitizer.

For the fifth time in his career, Brady was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP). Not muffled by their masks, fans cheered for Brady as he thanked family and friends and celebrated lucky number seven.

American poet Amanda Gorman
Credit: © Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock

On January 20, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. On the west front of the United States Capitol, musicians performed, religious leaders prayed, and a new president delivered an inaugural address. Among the many speakers was the American poet Amanda Gorman. A 22-year-old Black woman, Gorman became the youngest poet to read at a presidential inauguration.

The poem, titled “The Hill We Climb,” was written for the occasion and referenced the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, just two weeks before the inauguration. In the attack, rioters supporting outgoing President Donald Trump stormed the building in an attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election, which Biden won. Gorman’s poem read in part:

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.

In this truth, in this faith, we trust.

For while we have our eyes on the future,

history has its eyes on us.

Many observers described Gorman’s performance as extremely moving, bringing the poem’s beautiful, powerful words to life. Her expressive voice guided listeners through the past, present, and future of the United States. The poem and her performance were met with much acclaim.

Gorman was born in 1998 in Los Angeles, California. She struggled with a speech impediment as a child. Gorman studied at Harvard University. She had her first published collection of poetry with The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough (2015). Her work includes themes of feminism and racial oppression. In 2017, she was named the first U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate by the youth writing program Urban Word NYC in cooperation with the Library of Congress.

Gorman became one of only a few of poets to perform at a presidential inauguration, joining such legends as Maya Angelou and Robert Frost. In 1993, Angelou performed the poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Frost recited his poem “The Gift Outright” at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.