National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21, 2024. Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images Amanda Gorman , the first U.S.
national youth poet laureate , put themes of democracy and unity at the fore of a new poem she debuted at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night. "Divided we cannot endure, but united we can endeavor to humanize our democracy and endear democracy to humanity." Gorman, 26, recited at the United Center arena in Chicago "It falls to us, to ensure that we do not fall.
For a people that cannot stand together, cannot stand at all." Gorman's work is titled "This Sacred Scene." In 2021, the Harvard graduate burst onto the national stage when incoming First Lady Jill Biden invited her to deliver a reading at President Joe Biden 's inauguration.
That memorable appearance made Gorman the youngest inaugural poet in American history. Gorman's poem "The Hill We Climb," and its message of unity in the immediate aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots resonated with millions of Americans.
Her books of poetry rocketed to the top spots on Amazon's bestseller lists, and overnight, Gorman became a literary celebrity. Read a transcript of Gorman's 2024 DNC poem below. We gather at this hollowed place because we believe in the American dream.
We face a race that tests if this country we cherish shall perish from the Earth, and if our earth shall perish f.