"The Hill We Climb" was first performed by Amanda Gorman on January 20, 2021, at the inauguration of President Joe Biden. As the youngest inaugural poet in history and the first National Youth Poet Laureate, Gorman's performance was an internationally watched event, and has since garnered significant attention for the young writer. Following an intense and divisive presidency, as well as an especially difficult year for the world with the COVID-19 pandemic, Gorman was tasked with generating hope and motivation for the American people, a task she upheld with honor and grace. She has stated that she finished the poem the night after the Capitol Hill riots, indicating an intense awareness and attention to the events that unfolded mere weeks before her performance.
In the poem itself, Gorman envisions a repaired and united America, one where differences among the populace facilitate rather than hinder teamwork and community, and where people from all corners of the nation can come together to overcome the challenges of the future. The poem aims to infuse the reader with determination, yet cautions that the path ahead requires hard work. Combining the cadence of a sermon with that of everyday speech, Gorman urges the audience to consider how social systems might change, and how to take responsibility for previous wrongdoings and strive to improve the nation for future generations.
Since its performance on Inauguration Day, this poem has been hailed by many as an inspiring piece of literature. The poem has been published as a book by Penguin Young Readers and has been translated into many languages, and Amanda Gorman has become a symbol and icon of her generation.
