Amanda Gorman, the first national youth poet laureate of the United States, is scheduled to take the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, to deliver an original poem in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president. The 26-year-old poet will debut a new work titled “This Sacred Scene,” an ode to the “atmosphere of change and unity” surrounding this year's convention, according to an interview with Vanity Fair.

Gorman's appearance comes more than three years after she captivated the nation with her inaugural poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden's swearing-in ceremony in January 2021. That performance made her the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history and cemented her status as a defining voice of her generation. Now, she returns to the national stage in another historic moment, as Harris becomes the first Black woman and first South Asian woman to lead a major-party presidential ticket.

The convention, held at the United Center in Chicago, brings together Democrats from across the country to formally nominate Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Gorman is slated to speak at 9:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. PT, a prime-time slot that underscores the significance of her message. Live coverage of the event will be available on multiple platforms, including the convention's official stream and cable news networks.

When is Amanda Gorman performing?

Gorman is set to deliver “This Sacred Scene” on Wednesday night, August 21, during the third day of the four-day Democratic National Convention. Her performance is expected to take place at approximately 9:45 p.m. Eastern Time. The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, has been transformed into the epicenter of Democratic politics for the week, hosting delegates, party leaders, and celebrities.

For those who cannot watch on television, many news organizations and digital platforms will stream the convention live. Gorman's appearance will also be shared widely on social media, continuing a tradition of viral moments from her previous performances.

In an interview, Gorman expressed her excitement and nervousness about the scale of the event. “It's such a big convention... I'm used to speaking at one-time, one-day events,” she told Vanity Fair. “This is a four-day magical convening of so many other speakers that I want to really do justice to the occasion.” Her words reflect the weight she places on the performance, which comes at a pivotal moment in American politics.

What is 'This Sacred Scene' about?

According to Gorman, “This Sacred Scene” is inspired by the unique energy of the 2024 campaign and the historic nature of Harris's candidacy. While she has not revealed the full text of the poem, she hinted that it will address themes of unity, change, and the resilience of American democracy. The title suggests a reverence for the democratic process itself, framing the convention as a sacred gathering of citizens exercising their collective voice.

Gorman's poetry often weaves together personal experience and national identity, touching on issues of race, justice, and hope. In her inaugural poem, she famously referenced the January 6 Capitol riot, calling on Americans to “emerge from our wounded pride.” Her new poem is likely to carry a similar tone, offering both a critique of division and an aspirational vision for the future.

Vanity Fair reported that Gorman worked on the poem specifically for the convention, tailoring its cadence and imagery to the atmosphere of Chicago. She has described the process as deeply collaborative, drawing on her own observations of the campaign trail and her conversations with fellow artists and activists.

Who is Amanda Gorman?

Amanda Gorman was born in 1998 in Los Angeles, California. She grew up with her single mother, Joan Wicks, a public-school teacher, and two siblings. From an early age, Gorman faced a speech impediment that made it difficult for her to pronounce certain sounds, particularly the letter “r.” In interviews, she has spoken candidly about how she turned to writing as a way to express herself and cope with the frustration of not being able to speak fluently.

At age 14, Gorman joined WriteGirl, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization that mentors teenage girls in creative writing. The program helped her discover her voice and encouraged her to perform her poetry publicly. By 16, she had been named the Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles. Three years later, while studying sociology at Harvard University, she became the first National Youth Poet Laureate, a title bestowed by Urban Word, a youth literary arts organization.

Gorman's rise to national prominence began long before the 2021 inauguration. She authored a poetry collection titled “The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough” in 2015, and her work appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Essence, and Teen Vogue. She also delivered a TED Talk on the power of young people to effect change. Her 2021 inauguration performance, however, elevated her to global stardom.

Her 2021 inauguration performance

On January 20, 2021, Gorman recited “The Hill We Climb” at the U.S. Capitol, becoming the youngest poet ever to perform at a presidential inauguration. The poem, written in the aftermath of the violent insurrection at the Capitol just two weeks earlier, was praised for its powerful message of unity and resilience. In her reading, Gorman acknowledged the nation's fractures but insisted on the possibility of healing, declaring that “being American is more than a pride we inherit; it's the past we step into and how we repair it.”

The performance lasted just five minutes, but its impact was immediate. Gorman's image, clad in a yellow coat and a Prada headband, became an iconographic symbol of a new generation of leadership. The poem itself was published as a book and became an instant bestseller. Within days of the inauguration, Gorman had sold out a scheduled appearance at the Los Angeles Public Library and was invited to recite her poetry at major events, including Super Bowl LV, where she delivered a poem honoring three frontline workers of the pandemic.

Gorman also made history at the inauguration in another way: she was invited by then-First Lady Jill Biden, who had seen a recording of Gorman performing at the Library of Congress. Biden's invitation came after Gorman had already completed a draft of the poem, but she revised it extensively in the days leading up to the ceremony, incorporating references to the attack on the Capitol and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Gorman's career and cultural impact

Since the inauguration, Gorman has become one of the most recognized poets in the world. She has published several books, including “Call Us What We Carry,” a collection of poems released in December 2021 that reflects on the pandemic and its social upheavals. She has also written a children's book, “Change Sings: A Children's Anthem,” illustrated by Loren Long, which encourages young readers to find their own voices and make a difference in their communities.

Beyond her literary achievements, Gorman has used her platform to advocate for causes she cares about, including education, racial justice, and climate change. She has collaborated with brands and organizations to promote literacy and youth empowerment, and she has been outspoken about the importance of arts funding in schools. In 2022, she became the first poet to headline a major fashion campaign, further blurring the lines between poetry and pop culture.

Her influence extends to the political sphere as well. Gorman has been a vocal supporter of Democratic candidates and causes, but she has also emphasized the need for Americans to engage with civics beyond party lines. In her poetry, she frequently returns to the themes of democracy and civic duty, urging citizens to see themselves as participants in a larger narrative. This philosophy is expected to animate “This Sacred Scene.”

Why this performance matters

Gorman's appearance at the 2024 DNC is more than just a ceremonial moment. It represents the continuation of a rich tradition of poets who have addressed the nation at pivotal times. From Robert Frost's reading at John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961 to Maya Angelou's poem at Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993 and Elizabeth Alexander's at Barack Obama's in 2009, poets have been called upon to frame the moral and emotional stakes of political transitions.

For Harris's campaign, Gorman's presence is a signal of the campaign's focus on youth, diversity, and cultural energy. Harris herself has frequently cited poetry as a source of inspiration, and her campaign has courted artists and writers to help articulate its vision. Gorman, with her ability to distill complex emotions into accessible verse, is ideally suited to this task.

The poem's title, “This Sacred Scene,” also carries a subtle weight. In a time of deep political polarization, Gorman is using the platform to remind Americans that democracy is an ongoing practice, not a static achievement. Her words will likely be scrutinized for their political resonance, but they will also be heard by millions as a call to hope and engagement.

As the convention moves toward its climactic night, Gorman's performance stands out as a moment of artistry and reflection. Her previous appearances have shown that she can hold a national audience in rapture, and Chicago's convention hall will be no exception. For those who missed her 2021 inauguration, this will be another opportunity to witness a rising star of American letters. For those who were moved by “The Hill We Climb,” this new poem offers a chance to see how Gorman's voice has evolved in the intervening years.

Source: Yahoo News News