Using your voice is a political choice | Amanda Gorman

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker emphasizes the power and political nature of poetry as a medium for storytelling and change. Drawing on her heritage as a descendant of Black writers and freedom fighters, she shares her personal mantra for overcoming stage fright and the importance of speaking up. She challenges the notion of apolitical art, asserting that all art is inherently political and that poetry, in particular, serves as a bridge connecting individuals to larger societal issues. By honoring the legacy of influential poets, she encourages finding one's unique voice and using it to ask important questions about democracy and humanity.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding one's roots and the legacy of those who came before, especially in the context of poetry and storytelling.
• 💪 The personal mantra of the speaker, highlighting lineage and strength, serves as a source of empowerment and a tool to overcome fear and speech impediments.
• 🎭 Public speaking is portrayed as a daunting task for the speaker, despite their outward appearance of confidence, and the use of a mantra is a method to calm nerves.
• 🗣️ The realization that silence due to fear does not serve any cause, and the decision to speak up is a political act in itself.
• 🌉 Poetry is described as a bridge rather than a barrier, accessible and expressive to all, with the power to connect people and ideas.
• 🏛️ The political nature of poetry is underscored, with the argument that all art is inherently political due to the choices made in its creation and dissemination.
• 📖 The significance of storytelling is highlighted, with the speaker asserting that who gets to tell their stories and how these stories are told reflects societal and political structures.
• 🔍 The speaker calls attention to the historical targeting of poets and creatives by oppressive regimes, indicating the perceived threat that poetry and expression pose to the status quo.
• 🌟 The potential of poetry to inspire change and connect individual beliefs with collective movements is celebrated as a powerful force in shaping society.
• 🤔 The speaker encourages questioning and challenging the status quo through poetry, rather than seeking definitive answers, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions.
• 🌱 The final message is one of hope and potential, with the speaker expressing gratitude for those who have paved the way and a commitment to continue the tradition of impactful storytelling.

Q & A

What are the two questions the speaker begins their poetry workshops with?

The two questions are: 'Whose shoulders do you stand on?' and 'What do you stand for?'

How does the speaker describe their relationship to Black writers and Freedom Fighters?

The speaker identifies as the daughter of Black writers who are descended from Freedom Fighters, emphasizing a lineage of individuals who broke their chains and changed the world.

What is the purpose of the speaker's mantra before every poetry performance?

The mantra serves as a way for the speaker to gather themselves and strengthen their resolve, especially in the face of the fear of public speaking.

Why was the speaker initially terrified of speaking up?

The speaker had a speech impediment that made it difficult to pronounce certain letters and sounds, causing worry about their words jumbling and stumbling when on stage.

What realization did the speaker have about the importance of speaking out despite fear?

The speaker realized that choosing not to speak out of fear meant there was no one their silence was standing for, and thus they must find the strength to speak up.

What does the speaker mean by 'honorary ancestors' in the context of their mantra?

Honorary ancestors are individuals who may not be related by blood but are worth acknowledging for the legacy they left, as the speaker stands on their shoulders metaphorically.

How does the speaker view the role of poetry in society?

The speaker sees poetry as a powerful, accessible, and political form of expression that serves as a bridge between individuals and ideas, rather than a barrier.

What are the three ways the speaker describes poetry as being political?

The three ways are: 1) The stories we tell and how we tell them reflect our political beliefs; 2) Who gets to have their stories told speaks to the political and educational systems; 3) Poetry's focus on people and the potential to connect private beliefs with public causes.

Why does the speaker argue that all art is political?

The speaker argues that the decision to create, the choice to have a voice, and the act of being heard are inherently political acts.

How does the speaker respond to requests to write poetry that is not political?

The speaker resists such requests, asserting that poetry is inherently political and that avoiding political content would mean not asking challenging questions in their work.

What message does the speaker hope to convey about the power and purpose of poetry?

The speaker hopes to convey that poetry has the power to ask important questions, connect people, and inspire change, and that it is a medium through which one can stand for something meaningful.