Amanda Gorman: Using your voice is a political choice | TED

For anyone who believes poetry is stuffy or elitist, Amanda Gorman -- the youngest inaugural poet in US history -- has some characteristically well-chosen words. Poetry is for everyone, she says, and at its core it's all about connection and collaboration. In this fierce talk and performance, she explains why poetry is inherently political, pays homage to her honorary ancestors and stresses the value of speaking out despite your fears. "Poetry has never been the language of barriers," Gorman says. "It's always been the language of bridges."
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[@davidh7659]

The way she casually rhymes throughout the video as though it were completely natural is just beautiful

[@walerapheal2251]

Because for her it is natural 😇

[@redsol3629]

Her art is her life.

[@raskinblog]

She be freestyling. :)

[@jojomojoroxx]

Annoying!!

[@emiliewalker3570]

“They buried us, but they didn’t know we were seeds” this statement is just wow

[@joshthomas_1696]

Yes

[@marvantheamerican3603]

What a powerful statement.

[@pippagatz]

Yes! That stood out for me too ❤️

[@dahawk8574]

@@anum2737, "Και τι δεν κάνατε για να με θάψετε, όμως ξεχάσατε πως ήμουν σπόρος."

[@ebrparish]

@@anum2737 She made that clear. It is striking to us, as it was to her.

[@carlopolli3995]

“I am the daughter of black writers who descended from freedom fighters. Who broke their chains and changed the world. They call me.”

[@tinkqir4974]

Bob

[@JulindaLeDee]

I am a writer too!

[@jackmeovf4010]

@@JulindaLeDee but are you a BLACK writer!!! If not then u dont matter

[@xcharlesbronsonx]

@@jackmeovf4010 this huwyte folk are canceled according to them now (careful what you say on shilltube you can easily get your account b&)

[@Spinach_D]

Black writer descendants if white freedom fighters? Fact: my great grandfather and his brother did more to free slaves

[@bumablaise09]

Her eloquence and fluency with words are flawless.

[@nigelwaxley]

I find her ideas mind-blowing, and her cadence intoxicating. She is amazing.

[@violetgreen]

I feel completely inadequate to describe how talented she is. What she says, how she says it.... and flawless without a piece of paper!

[@jaykay1053]

I can relate to what you're saying! Wow, amazing, moving, wise, generous... These are just not sufficient, are they?! You wrote: "and flawless without a piece of paper!" I wonder if it is during the intimately immersive experience of creating the spirit of the piece (and then working it up to perform) that Ms Gorman adopts the content along the way. Still, I noticed that Ms Gorman did follow her text at the inauguration -- a brilliant professional choice, I'd say, given the circumstances! My favourite line: "...broke their chains and changed the world". Do you have one?

[@JulindaLeDee]

Inspiring.

[@ashleyhw4388]

I am in awe of her poise and her ability to paint imagery with words.

[@antisocialdistancing3]

left/right paradigm = illusion all politician are pushing covid it is becoming patently obvious

[@papabear2515]

Outstanding and inspiring!

[@ellazubec9862]

Well said

[@rosaliaali3099]

Who's here after watching her perform at the inauguration..

[@beautifulrainbow6989]

🙋

[@MichaelClayton64]

Everyone

[@thedovieshow8743]

@@MichaelClayton64 literally all of us lol

[@epdlp4506]

Literally every single person here, because it was uploaded after the inauguration, how dumb are you excuse me?

[@rosaliaali3099]

@@epdlp4506 excuse me??? Where is all this hate coming from?? You my friend need to take a chill pill. Like a lot of people I started looking at her videos after the inauguration, so if some other new videos of her surface, there will always be people writing comments like this because of how moving her performance was at the inauguration. Take a CHILL PILL WILL YA AND DO SOMETHING MORE CONSTRUCTIVE WITH UR LIFE..then you wouldn't be so hateful DUMMY

[@samuelwilliams8099]

Who is here after watching her performed at the inauguration?

[@ayabelkharrazidrissi8283]

Me

[@funkycowie]

Me, that's was an amazing powerful speech.

[@donavanmiller6604]

I am!

[@peterv.maydell9354]

me

[@demetriusgrant517]

Me times 100

[@kaileymcdonald3276]

As an educator and poet myself, I am beyond inspired by Ms. Gorman’s words. We CAN create worlds with our words. Every new idea started as impossible words. Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@calleigh5887]

@Zaynab bint Al-Harith Fan behavior. Don't be jealous because she's better spoken than you are.

[@MrGmorrison]

She MSFT. Amanda is just so filled with a glow and vessels of words

[@sarahhardy8649]

Is this the young lady who performed a poem at Prez Biden’s inauguration? That poem was epic and beautiful.

[@Minislayer28]

Yes she is.

[@hakimlengani6968]

I remember watching this in class and everyone was talking about how pretty she is.

[@piousaugustus84]

Yep! :)

[@sarahhardy8649]

@@hakimlengani6968 no I meant the poem was beautiful. I wasn’t commenting on her appearance.. I don’t see that sort of thing.

[@abdiasrodriguez1478]

YES!!! Definitely an inspiration to poets, speakers, women, young kids, I mean anyone really. Such praise and elegance in her recital today. Is there a part that you love most? How do you feel about "We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace"? I would love to hear your thoughts. Would you want to hear more from Amanda? I definitely do!

[@irwindong]

“They buried us, but they didn’t know we are seeds” wow

[@eggizgud]

She was saying how people's using poetic words at protests, whether in banner or on a statue (:give me your tired, your poor...") is poetry being political. That phrase was poet Dinos Christianopoulos's.

[@chukwuemekao.4609]

@@eggizgud That line really is deep and caught my attention. This young woman is so intelligent and insightful beyond words. Her poetry really makes you think and very capturing.

[@emellia1]

Oh...yea you stole Q poet You know the thing the seed thing Product of brainwashed and indoctrination

[@notnow_stopitagain5800]

@@chukwuemekao.4609 She’s all cap...

[@meraaleta3750]

This quote is the first thing you see on the video for “Nobody Knows” by Iskwe, who is another poet (singer), who speaks about her experiences as an Indigenous woman in a society in which her very existence is political. If you like this speaker, check out Iskwe’s work.

[@Franciellestephanie]

I am so impressed by this girl. I am amazed by her talent to hypnotize us through her words, and make us all obsessed with the power of poetry. Time flies while she is speaking, and I can watch her all day. Well done Amanda! Looking forward to hear more from you!

[@abdiasrodriguez1478]

I agree with your comment. Definitely an inspiration to poets, speakers, women, young kids, I mean anyone really. Such praise and elegance in her recital today. Is there a part that you love most? How do you feel about "We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace"? I would love to hear your thoughts. I too am looking forward to more from her!

[@Franciellestephanie]

@@abdiasrodriguez1478 Yeeees, the speach today was such a moment. I love this part: "That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped. That even as we tired, we tried that will forever be tied together victorious" Made me feel so hopeful for society in general!

[@abdiasrodriguez1478]

@@Franciellestephanie Definitely! Even in our dark moments, we will all persevere as long as we believe in ourselves! It makes me so happy to see that more and more people can appreciate poetry and poets. Thank you for sharing, Francielle!

[@1JAM62]

She is a woman (22 YO) NOT “this girl” hence; who is this lady would be more appropriate. She lectures.

[@Franciellestephanie]

@@1JAM62 you are right.

[@x1625]

Just listened to her at the inauguration, and now here. Hear, hear!

[@Mbj10]

Me 3

[@enderwiggins8248]

Her energy and presence is so powerful and inspiring I’m moved to tears

[@zettanganga8015]

Amanda Gorman really added such a beautiful infusion of passion and elegance to the inaugural festivities. America was left so scorched and parched from the most recent antics of civil unrest in our Nation's Capitol. She poured cool, much-needed water onto our land, to help to quench America's thirst for freedom and democracy. Thank you Amanda. Godspeed to you. Well Done.

[@pageturner1401]

Antics is when Children hide Each Other toys.

[@johncollins1402]

I'm here after the inauguration. Looking up this wonderful human! She is amazing.

[@alyssadamayo2162]

"If i choose not to speak out of fear, then there is no one my silence is standing for"

[@fosa557]

This caught my attention too.♥️👌

[@fosa557]

Thanks for the like. I think we all got a voice on the inside but only a few really let theirs out, the rest just decide to stay mute. Have a great day ahead ♥️👋

[@maggienorton9839]

.o22aa

[@maggienorton9839]

@@fosa557 1

[@maggienorton9839]

M

[@shanicesarudi1084]

i can listen to Amanda talking even for a week without falling asleep...she has such powerful articulation of her words

[@yogamama1879]

This woman blows me away with her words. I was moved to tears hearing her speak so powerfully at the Presidential Innaguration of President Joe Biden. She moved me with so much heart, love and conviction in her words and in her energy. Thank you for your incredible inspiration. ♥️🌹🔥

[@JWRay-xh9wl]

Her poem today Not only to our country,to the world....it was the most wonderous thing I've ever heard,truly.... She truly is an example to follow on how to be the best in humanity,communication,and soul....

[@hvnspwn]

I wish this talk existed when I was younger, as a high school kid scribbling lines, or as a college junior with people telling me my writing sucked. It answers a lot of the doubts that I've had in writing and in any creative field. It's amazing. Thank you, Amanda Gorman.

[@Daymickey]

I didn't realize how much I could look up to someone who's a decade younger than me.

[@jackmeovf4010]

Hmmm. Do some research on her as she is against white people, basically. Very big on abortion also . A real go getter.

[@tinkqir4974]

@@jackmeovf4010 get your head out of your *

[@tea_books728]

@@jackmeovf4010 and then when it’s a racist white no one cares. Before you even say anything, people voted a racist white for president in 2016 :/

[@empathytoast4167]

@@jackmeovf4010 dang i support her even more now 🤯🤯

[@amapparatistkwabena]

So cute--I can hear that "r", from 2.5 years ago, but she OVERCAME this impediment and knocked her poem OUT OF THE PARK on Inauguration Day!!

[@Pants4096]

@Donovan Tanner The 'r' is a speech impediment she has talked about overcoming through intensive work, an inability to pronounce 'r' sounds. Some people like Jonathan Ross have just left it be, hence his nickname "Wossy". Amanda worked hard to keep working on it, though, and in her recent performance and interviews, you can't hear ANY hint that she ever had a problem before.

[@lemelhanzlomboy8587]

Amanda, your poem at the Inaugural today was superb...your words, phrase , delivery and presence is so powerful, you move my heart. You have a beautiful soul, please continue to share your thoughts and beliefs. we love you

[@mainstreetspeaks3412]

"But the truth is, no one's ever told my story the way I would tell it." 🙌🏾

[@Doug791]

I'm an old(ish) white bloke from across the Atlantic and I'm totally captivated by this young black ladys demeanour and talent. Her words and work are well beyond her years. Isn't the world a great place sometimes.

[@srn306x]

I just saw her at the inauguration and got this on notification lol.

[@aleikac2352]

She’s A queen!!! As a black teenage girl I’m def inspired

[@jackmeovf4010]

Lol

[@kingofcurses5295]

@@jackmeovf4010 what’s funny

[@paulbell5841]

Wow this is amazing I didn't know I liked poetry.

[@KBriody53]

Congratulations Amanda Gorman! You are the voice of a new generation. My sincere compliments.

[@JP-gf3fs]

She's well spoken and highly educated. But my god, that beauty! I mean+

[@krystenariana_]

@Zaynab bint Al-Harith well that is your opinion

[@sahersheerzai9229]

Stop wasting your time hating on someone, her poetry is a million times better than yours will ever be.

[@sahersheerzai9229]

"Her poetry is boring". Not "She Poetry is boring". "Needs explaining. Not" "Needs so explaining". these are just some mistakes in your poetry there were other mistakes to. I can tell you if you want.

[@sahersheerzai9229]

@Zaynab bint Al-Harith im guessing you meant boring because abhoring is not a word you can search it up

[@sahersheerzai9229]

@Zaynab bint Al-Harith Yes But what she said made sense. What you said didn't make sense at all.

[@bramroodhart4273]

This is display of true power. Unafraid to share, be bold, be hopeful. A true display of our generation voiced by one, supported by all without voice

[@Wenaartgr]

She is so an inspiring woman

[@sophieweeks1765]

@Zaynab bint Al-Harith no u

[@lmmateo78]

She has such power. She is so inspirational! Beautiful!!!

[@leoanimations9724]

"They buried us but they didn't know we were seeds"...WOW! That is just...WOW, So...wow...😬

[@thedovieshow8743]

I watched Amanda's speech at the inauguration and I was speechless. I had to do a reaction video about her on my channel. Thank you for sharing your light with us, Amanda Gorman. You are terrific!

[@chideraosih8214]

“If I choose not to speak out of fear, then there is no one that my silence is standing for” .....Powerful!

[@MoTime]

Who's here from the Biden's inauguration!?! ☝️

[@dcs3609]

Same.

[@beautifulrainbow6989]

🙋

[@evehawasinare228]

Me

[@NorthCascadeshiker]

Ummm all of us? It was just posted 2 days ago...

[@rosaliaali3099]

@@NorthCascadeshiker Yes I think what Mo Time means is that everyone only watched the video because of her mesmerizing performance at the inauguration...so ummmm, if she did not get that kind of exposure, this would just have been another random video on KZbin...

[@trishalish64]

Wow! I could listen to her for hours! I was brought to tears during the inauguration. Thank you Amanda! So young, yet so wise!! I’m a fan!!!

[@ahumanperson3615]

im watching this for an english class, and as a young poetry writer this is everything to me. Amanda you are so talented, thankyou for the TED talk

[@THELEGEND-so7vs]

I saw her in TV yesterday. Great woman, great poem.

[@thiagooshiro4857]

How would I absolutely love to see her and Chimamanda Adichie together in the same event.

[@hilarynzube9252]

I am Nigerian and seeing your comment gladdened my heart. I too will love to see both of them on stage. What nationality are you?

[@Daymickey]

Omg yes!! 😍 how can we make this Happen?! Two powerful black Queens together dialoguing about the current moment and how to move forward!

[@thiagooshiro4857]

@@hilarynzube9252 I'm from Brazil. =)

[@mauleenpeart612]

Damn, I was thinking the same thing

[@MsLang-yy6tf]

Amanda Gorman is my new favorite! My seventh grade English students have enjoyed reading her poetry and listening to her powerful speech! We are currently working on comparing and contrasting her Inaugural poem with Gwendolyn Brooks' "Speech to the Young- Speech to the Progress-Toward"

[@jackmeovf4010]

Make sure you listen to her poem about abortion its a killer!! Make sure you also listen to her white privilege poem too!!

[@fartissimo]

I am absolutely amazed at the brilliance of this young woman. For the first time- in a long time- I feel hope for the future. People like Amanda are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also of today. Thank you for giving me that sense of hope back.

[@jenniferbrown7659]

"EARTHRISE" Poem makes me cry each time I hear you recite. Yes I cry (at least) a dozen times per day. Thank you

[@aubreyaragon988]

Politics has no color barriers. She's very uplifting inspiring.

[@marvabooker1203]

I cannot get enough of her words.....she has restored me....

[@goldenblooms6672]

Poetry is art and expression. It can be healing or political. It can be however the writer wants to convey his or her thoughts

[@anquirojm4123]

Beautiful and well said...go...speak...touch...inspire...

[@fmgoga]

She was at the Inauguration!!! Amanda is such an inspiration for poets, women and black people.❤

[@jenniferbrown7659]

Glamorous. Strong. Feminine. Energatic. Wow. My daughter has a speech impediment. Although some educators labeled my daughter, I encouraged her to talk without the humiliating continuous correction. In the 1960's, Nikki Giovanni's poems created a seed to read. Thank you Amanda Gorman.

[@yvetteshen7381]

Super amazing! I feel like her entire presentation is poetry, not prose. But that’s what makes it so special and wonderful. 😊

[@gilbertday10]

I’m here coz I was just checking out TedTalk like I often do and clicked on this and reading all of your comments about her being at the inauguration.

[@galaxywinding9363]

who is here for a schools assiment

[@lilspidey8249]

Me

[@amog316]

AYO OAKVIEW CREW I KNOW YOU HERE

[@snapwizaard]

I’ve never been into poetry but she is just so good that I can’t stop watching

[@imaloserdude7227]

Such depth and breadth in her words, inspiring and challenging, filling me with wonder and questions. Awesome!

[@michaelriches605]

Amanda, You are amazing! You give us hope of a better generation. Keep up the great work young lady.

[@lmmateo78]

true that!!

[@selahr.]

Interesting topic now that one political party believes that everyone on the other side can’t be allowed to use political speech... and as you pointed out ultimately all words and actions can be classified as political... so where does that lead us? Nowhere nice according to world history and human nature.

[@Miranox2]

Power begets tyranny. When a small group is allowed to decide who gets to speak, the result is never good.

[@melissahayes9461]

What a beautiful and perfect poem to share for the Inauguration! ❤️ An extremely talented young woman! ❤️

[@rajanlawati3680]

She looks and sounds so beautiful. ☺️

[@ZodyZody]

I'm happy to be sharing the same world as her. She is brilliant!

[@agrant4701]

She’s spellbinding.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

She’s just amazing. Seemed so much younger at the Inauguration...

[@jaykay1053]

. . . broke their chains and changed the world.

[@bobbouwer90]

Love her energy ⚡

[@Raygeemusic]

At the inauguration yesterday when she spoke, I was so in awe because of the power of her words and the way she put them! Being an artist myself, and as odd as it is, I was never much interested in poetry before, but this young lady (half my age now and younger than my son!) got me! This was incredible, and by far the best performance at the inauguration and the only one with a message! Wow! Thank you so much for this, Ms. Gorman, and all my love to you!

[@Mloofylicious]

If there's one thing I learned as a writer in my part of Europe, it's that tying your poetics to any kind of politics is always a bad idea, because ideologies have an expiration date, whereas sublime, authentic poetry does not. Which means that, when the ideology changes, certain authors-though gifted- are labeled as cultural pariahs. For authors, supporting politics is rather being willingly enslaved by it, but poetry should be about freedom. I was told by American colleagues it's apparently unpopular labelling her inauguration poem as a monologue declaring political ambitions, which it obviously turned into. I'm sure she's talented, so it's a mystery to me why she needs it.

[@vatotalk]

That's the problem with literature and fine arts. She is by all accounts well read (not the same as being truly educated) but her rants about politics which pass as poetry are mediocre and is not proof of her being talented. It's pure wokism and feminism to call her talented

[@Mloofylicious]

@@vatotalk Once you turn into a motivational speaker and an Oprah-approved author, your lose the ability to see that you're merely being groomed by powerful women as their pet project for the future, although career-wise she'll probably benefit from it. Unless she severs literary ties with politics, she'll end up exacerbating the narrative that help build such a support for Trump in the first place. Something tells me that's not what she's going for. Poetry is no showbusiness.

[@5hadœwbånnedbyyou]

@@vatotalk Somebody understands! 😭

[@flyingrover9022]

The pathology of poetry is oft times political. Maybe in your country where you’re not politically oppressed you can write about rainbows and unicorns...

[@Mloofylicious]

@@flyingrover9022 Every act of art has something of a political undertone depending on other factors, liko occasion or environment. But trust me, there's all sorts of opression here, even though I live in Europe. A very famous, recently deceased Croatian actress got fired from her theatre in Zagreb and got evicted from her apartment unlawfully, because she did a play in the "wrong" neighbouring country, and none of her colleagues at home stepped up to support her, maybe because they were afraid they'd end up the same way. So she moved to the US, where she starred in "Lost". Just google Mira Furlan. So it's not all rainbows and unicorns even though we're all white here.

[@sophiadavis6981]

I am speechless and the same time I get goose bumps listening to this young lady.

[@ruthlieberman7157]

She bows my mind. So much beauty and intellect. I can definitely see her running for the highest office of the land some day.

[@cameronperry8446]

Watching her poem at the inauguration was a glimmer of hope amongst the chaos here in the states. I truly fear for the future of this country and for my children who may grow up worse off than I grew up. I truly hope American's can unite.

[@wordsbykat94]

Amanda is amazing and inspiring! Recently started my poetry KZbin channel and I’m so excited! I hope to be like her one day!

[@rasberrygal25]

Yes Amanda !!!! I am so proud of this young lady .

[@rutho.6282]

Amazing. A natural, eloquent queen

[@rutho.6282]

@@ZennExile 👀

[@bethsene9129]

Gorgeous human being, just lovely!

[@cecillejones3853]

Just had to hear more from her after getting floored by her inaugural poem. Lucky I found her here.

[@funkypants7297]

I'm so impressed how she can weave poetry into this talk so seamlessly. I kept noticing these cool rhymes and rhythms nested in her words! So talented 😃

[@blowme5258]

I'm also impressed how she weaves casual racism toward white people into her talk

[@NewbieAmina]

Thank you Amanda Gorman for sharing your brilliance! Do more, more, more! Excited to see you continue to grow. Inspiring.

[@aberashwolansa9335]

Simply beautiful!! Bless you more my child.

[@FiguraCinque]

How, just how she manage to do .. this, at her young age? She is unreal.

[@loafandjug321]

Speak clearly.

[@00Israa00]

Yes!! Yes!! Yes!! What a powerful and impressive young woman. Thank you for inspiring the world with your words today!

[@sophiafoisy470]

I have a speech in class soon and am watching your speeches Amanda for inspiration!!❤️❤️

[@zamzamhashi6020]

The power of telling the story matters no matter what 💪🏾

[@timothycox9582]

brilliance and elegance all woven together

[@somsangsi]

Her poem was amazing

[@Butterflyneverlands]

She doesn't cease to amaze us.

[@careenterprisellc4138]

She's awesome!

[@schokoladendonut]

She is truly mesmerising. I am excited for what’s to come in the future. All doors will be open to her I am sure she will go on to do amazing things.

[@danielquill]

Wow! Wow! Wow! She's amazing!

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Destined for greatness . Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@fosa557]

I fell in love with her poetry at the inauguration.

[@saraalves5807]

She's amazing! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💝💞

[@sjwkw1528]

The most thing to notice is her nonverbal way of communication. She uses gestures so great in a proper way.

[@carolbrowning2246]

Poetry offers us the clearest understanding of what it is to be a Democracy. "Give us your poor, your tired, your oppressed" Speak out of courage, not fear, and we need to celebrate our ability to be bold. She is the daughter of black writers, and they call her now!

[@isaacdugo619]

She's amazing🤩very great articulation.

[@reneepuvvada]

How does this girl practice for public speaking?!! Give me your wisdom!!!!

[@smoothrich265]

One of our ancestors have returned in a young girl’s body ! What an old soul in young body?

[@stevek5332]

...or many of them...

[@oscopin74]

Impressive young Woman. Came here from her inauguration poem. Definitely a highlight of the event. Other than trump finally leaving 🇺🇸🥳

[@realigiouspolitics]

She is such an amazing young women. Unbelievably smart, witty, very poised.

[@ryandujumbomammutuseafrica9674]

I like what Amanda said. Those quotes from her are beautiful and so true.