Yesterday marked a historic day for America and the entire world, with the swearing in a of a new president and the first ever African-American, Asian-American woman vice-president, at a time in which the COVID -19 pandemic is wreaking havoc around the world.
Beyond partisan politics, beyond democrats or republicans, beyond black or white, during the inauguration ceremony there was a particularly poignant moment which marks the challenge not just for America, but for each and every human being. It was the moment 22-year old Amanda Gorman recited her poem – The Hill We Climb.
Touching and particularly relevant, the poem sends a strong message of hope as the world grows complacent and takes democracy for granted, while far right movements and extremist groups become more appealing. The urgency of Gorman’s message becomes even more real if anyone, upon reading this post, dismisses it as irrelevant, or does not understand the implications. We owe this to our children “because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation” and that “our blunders become their burdens”.

Listen to Amanda Gorman here and read her inspiring story here.
And remember that even in the darkest moments, “there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it”.
We owe it to our children.
Photo by Ronaldo de Oliveira on Unsplash