MILWAUKEE — Amanda Gorman, acclaimed for her inaugural poem “The Hill We Climb,” delivered a stirring performance of her new piece, “This Sacred Scene,” at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Gorman, 26, captivated the audience with her message of unity and the American dream. Her poem underscored the need for collective strength, urging Americans to stand together despite differences in religion, class, or race.
Gorman highlighted the role of empathy in overcoming hate and vanity. She stated, “This is loud in our country’s call because while we all love freedom, it is love that frees us all. Empathy emancipates, making us greater than hate or vanity.”
The first National Youth Poet Laureate and youngest inaugural poet emphasized that unity is crucial for enduring challenges. She described the American dream as a collective goal rather than an individual one. “Only now approaching this rare air. Are we aware that perhaps the American dream is no dream at all, but instead a dare to dream together,” Gorman said.
She concluded with a call to action: “Let us not just believe in the American dream, let us be worthy of it.”