“And, yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine,
but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge our union with purpose.
To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and conditions of man.
And so we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us,
but what stands before us.”
– “The Hill We Climb”, Amanda Gorman
Inauguration Day began with a crisp, cool morning and ended with the confirmation of our 46th President — a thankfully uneventful conclusion to one of the most contentious elections to date. The ceremony was eloquent, graceful, and despite its solemn tone, optimistic. But, I think it’s safe to say that someone special stole the show.
On January 20, Amanda Gorman, a National Youth Poet Laureate and published author, enamored the country with her spoken word poem “The Hill We Climb.” With powerful verses and a captivating performance, she told a story of hope, of perseverance, and of a better tomorrow. She touched on our struggles with poise, and called us to march against injustice. She showed us that despite our differences, we needed to unite as Americans and citizens of the world.
It’s no surprise that her message resonated so deeply. No matter where we stand on the political spectrum, it’s safe to say that it’s been a difficult season. Our political, religious, and cultural differences have driven us apart. Many of us feel disappointed by our peers, our friends, and even our families. The future feels nebulous and uncertain. Yet, through poetry, Gorman was able to surpass those differences and inspire millions of people and remind us that we are stronger together.
In my freshman year of high school, I joined our school’s spoken word poetry team. It was nerve-wracking at first. Spoken word poetry is intimate and vulnerable, and it was intimidating to expose myself at every practice. To be completely honest, I was afraid of conflict and criticism.
But now, four years later, that’s precisely the reason I love spoken word poetry. Sure, it’s exhilarating and pushes me to think outside of the box. But more importantly, spoken word poetry has enabled me to share my perspective, question the status quo, to facilitate challenging dialogue with my peers.
When we talk to the people around us, it’s often hard to broach “taboo” topics like politics, religion, and death. They can sour a discussion, or spark an argument. But spoken word poetry has helped soften that potential sting in my life. When we witness and participate in art, it allows us to open up, self-reflect, and connect with one another.
Through spoken word poetry, I’ve been able to build connections with others, subtly challenging their paradigms through rhythm and performance. I’ve been able to grow close to people I disagree with, to understand their point of view. Through spoken word poetry, I’ve fallen in love with the uncomfortable conversation.
Uncomfortable conversations are essential to change and growth, and they are just as important to our faith as they are to politics and activism. As Christians, we are not only called to probe our own faith, but also to evangelize to others. We must become comfortable with the uncomfortable conversation.
Amanda Gorman used poetry to inspire a fractured country. We can use our own gifts to share the Good News with a fractured world. Whether it’s through song, sports, or just being present, we can bring the people around us closer to Christ. After all, Yahweh is the ultimate unifier; his message surpasses all of our differences, and we are one body under him.
Photo Credit: Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Public Affairs