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'Overjoyed': Hear from poet who stole the show at inauguration (Original Post) catbyte Jan 2021 OP
Amanda Gorman was/is a stutter Gothmog Jan 2021 #1
Wonderful poetess! burrowowl Jan 2021 #2
When I heard poet laureate I went "oh no!" I have never been more wrong. She blew me away! dutch777 Jan 2021 #3
body language RicROC Jan 2021 #4
Yes. My only complaint is the unfortunate placement of the microphones...detracted a bit dutch777 Jan 2021 #5

Gothmog

(145,631 posts)
1. Amanda Gorman was/is a stutter
Thu Jan 21, 2021, 02:11 AM
Jan 2021

I used to stutter. The stutter is still there when I am very very tired. This is a very personal issue for me. I met Joe Biden at two fundraisers in 2019 (pre covid) and at one fundraiser, we discussed stuttering. I got a Biden hug and Joe told me about the 20+ young people with stutters he keeps in contact with. I loved Amanda Gorman's poem and I just found out that she is or was a stutter (the stutter never goes away entirely).
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/01/joe-biden-inauguration-speech-stutter.html?via=rss_socialflow_twitter



Joe Biden was not the only one at this inauguration to understand how hard-won delivering one’s own words can be. Amanda Gorman, the poet laureate who cracked the inauguration ceremony into a million pieces with her poem, was also a child who overcame a speech impediment, by writing poems. Speaking to NPR about her own stutter, she mentioned one of her predecessors, Maya Angelou, who also delivered an inaugural poem and was mute as a child. “I think there is a real history of orators who have had to struggle, a type of imposed voicelessness, you know, having that stage at inauguration,” she said. “So it’s really special for me.” Gorman’s voice was perhaps the most poignant symbol for millions and millions of Americans who have been struggling to speak truth in the face of years of dark, pixelated nonsense.

This young lady is an amazing person

Maya Angelou also had a language issue when she was young

dutch777

(3,050 posts)
3. When I heard poet laureate I went "oh no!" I have never been more wrong. She blew me away!
Thu Jan 21, 2021, 02:43 AM
Jan 2021

There were many highlights of the inauguration ceremony but she was my favorite by far. I want to sit and take the time and watch the video of her presentation over and over. It was not only her words and voice, but the style of her presentation was emotion in motion. Delightful!!!

RicROC

(1,204 posts)
4. body language
Thu Jan 21, 2021, 10:21 AM
Jan 2021

I agree. Since I am more visually oriented, I was enthralled by Ms. Gorman's body language when she spoke. She did not merely raise her hands to emphasize a phrase but used her hands and fingers to create the images of stepping over a bridge , climbing hills and such.

dutch777

(3,050 posts)
5. Yes. My only complaint is the unfortunate placement of the microphones...detracted a bit
Thu Jan 21, 2021, 03:55 PM
Jan 2021

I wanted to see every nuance to her presentation and gestures. Was fun watching her with Anderson Cooper last night...he was just fawning and she was just as wonderful in the interview as she was on the dais.

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