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Amanda Gorman 'Gutted' After Florida School Bans Poem She Wrote For Biden's Inauguration
A Florida school's decision to ban the poem The Hill We Climb, which Amanda Gorman recited at President Joe Biden's inauguration, has sparked widespread debate and condemnation.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools took action following a complaint from a single parent, leading to the removal of five titles, including Gorman's poem, from elementary schools. The ban has drawn criticism for disproportionately targeting works by queer and non-white authors.
A "gutted" Gorman herself expressed her disappointment and highlighted the alarming trend of book bans across America.
\u201chttps://t.co/u5j2TamadM\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
She posted the following statement to her Twitter account:
"I'm gutted." ...
"Book bans aren't new. But they have been on the rise. According to the ALA, 40% more books were challenged in 2022 compared to 2021. What's more, often all it takes to remove these works from our libraries and schools is a single objection."
"And let's be clear: most of the forbidden works are by authors who have struggled for generations to get on bookshelves. The majority of these censored works are by queer and non-white voices."
Gorman went on to note that she wrote The Hill We Climb "so that all young people could see themselves in a historical moment" and that she's received "countless letters and videos" from children who were inspired to write their own poems as a result.
Observing that it is a "violation" of "free thought and speech" to rob children "of the chance to find their voices in literature," she proposed the following actions:
"We must speak out and have our voices heard. That's why my publisher, Penguin Random House, joined PEN America, authors, and community members in a lawsuit in Florida's Escambia County to challenge book restrictions like these."
"To help, donate to and visit @PENAmerica and spread the word about these book bans."
"Together, this is a hill we won't just climb, but a hill we will conquer."
In a surprising revelation, Gorman shared a photo of the complaint form, which falsely attributed her poem to Black American TV host Oprah Winfrey.
The error highlighted the lack of understanding or research behind the parent's objection and the hasty decision to ban the poem without proper consideration.
\u201cSo they ban my book from young readers, confuse me with @oprah , fail to specify what parts of my poetry they object to, refuse to read any reviews, and offer no alternatives\u2026Unnecessary #bookbans like these are on the rise, and we must fight back \ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udfff DONATE here:\u2026\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
The controversy began when a parent of two students at Bob Graham Education Center in Miami Lakes objected to several titles available in the school library. The parent raised concerns about critical race theory, alleged "indirect hate messages," gender ideology, and indoctrination.
Consequently, The Hill We Climb was made accessible only to middle school students aged 11 to 14. Other titles, including The ABCs of Black History, Cuban Kids, Countries in the News: Cuba, and Love to Langston, were also included in the complaint.
Specifically, the complaint mentions pages 12 and 13 of The Hill We Climb, which include the following verses:
"We've braved the belly of the beast/We've learned that quiet isn't always peace/And the norms and notions of what "just is"/Isn't always justice."
"And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it./Somehow, we do it./Somehow, we've weathered and witnessed/A nation that isn't broken, but simply unfinished."
\u201c@TheAmandaGorman @Oprah @FLFreedomRead In case anyone is wondering what pages 12 and 13 say, here they are. Someone please tell me what is hateful about this\u2026\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
Many have thrown their support behind Gorman and expressed their love for the poem in light of the news.
\u201c@TheAmandaGorman @PENamerica @ALALibrary @penguinrandom @MiamiDadeCounty Your poem, "The Hill We Climb" is insightful, positive, and inspiring when I first heard your excellent presentation at the inauguration. Went to YouTube to listen again with the same impression. The President and the audience loved it. It's an injustice! \ud83d\udc99\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u2696\ufe0f #JusticeMatters\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
\u201c@TheAmandaGorman @PENamerica @ALALibrary @penguinrandom @MiamiDadeCounty Very disappointed to hear this! Your poem is incredible, and students should be able to read it.\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
\u201c@TheAmandaGorman @PENamerica @ALALibrary @penguinrandom @MiamiDadeCounty "The Hill We Climb" is one of the best poems I have ever read. Its message is for all of us, and its power is limitless. Miss Gorman is a national treasure. I pinned it! #DeSantis has gone too far. I am truly embarrassed to be a white man in this country.\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
\u201c@TheAmandaGorman @PENamerica @ALALibrary @penguinrandom @MiamiDadeCounty Thank you @TheAmandaGorman for speaking up for writers, parents, students and freedom. People can read more about the @PENamerica @penguinrandom litigation and follow its progress here (the plaintiffs are represented by @protctdemocracy & @BallardSpahrLLP) https://t.co/LmU5CniDZB\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
\u201c@TheAmandaGorman @PENamerica @ALALibrary @penguinrandom @MiamiDadeCounty They can never take away your brilliance Ms.Gorman. That's your super power.\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
\u201c@TheAmandaGorman @PENamerica @ALALibrary @penguinrandom @MiamiDadeCounty Amanda, I'm so sorry, please remain brave and strong, and just as you are. You're an amazing young woman with a beautiful voice and spirit, there are millions, if not billions of people who support you. Your incredible work will be here forever and stand the test of time \ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\udcab\ud83d\udc9b\u2728\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
\u201c@TheAmandaGorman @PENamerica @ALALibrary @penguinrandom @MiamiDadeCounty I think most of us grasp the beauty and heart of your poem, was proud to watch it live, and inspired and moved by it. Don't let the ignorance of the few drown out the light and positive result from your work that most of us appreciate and are benefited from.\u201d— Amanda Gorman (@Amanda Gorman) 1684879662
Gorman's case is not an isolated incident.
According to PEN America, 175 books have already been removed from schools across Florida this year. The rise in book bans has raised concerns among advocates for free expression and diverse voices in literature.
Under the leadership of its Republican Governor Ron DeSantis—who just announced a 2024 presidential bid—the state has continued to backslide.
Recently, DeSantis signed legislation that prohibits the use of public funds by colleges for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and previously enacted the Stop WOKE Act, which restricts discussions of race in workplaces and schools during mandatory training or instruction.
Both moves have drawn scrutiny from advocates who've charged they curtail academic freedom and freedom of expression.