Amanda Gorman argues that being American is not simply inherited pride but an active responsibility to confront and repair the past. It’s not only about recalling history; it’s about healing it, taking accountability, and striving to be better as individuals and as a nation.
She rose to national attention at age 22 when she read the poem The Hill We Climb at President Biden’s inauguration. Speaking from the perspective of a descendant of enslaved people, she says her heritage underscores that freedom, equality, and liberty are not automatic rights but principles that must be fought for, protected, and cherished.
For Gorman, being American means loving and defending one’s own freedom while also committing to secure freedom for others. It’s remembering yesterday’s injustices even as we walk confidently toward tomorrow, working to repair what came before so the future can be more just.