One not only can feel and hear, but also can see a recognizable influence and responsibility cast to the charismatic Ms Gorman by Oprah and Maya Angelo: Ms Gorman’s articulating hand gestures, a fundamental part of her recitations, reveal a deeper thesis in the form of an elegantly styled, caged-bird shaped ring. Oprah’s gift of the ring and a set of earrings is like a woman-warrior bouquet tossed, passed, casting a torch lit with the glow from cherished mentoring, influencing, and leadership responsibilities. This is a heavy-weight suite of responsibilities that require a diverse, rich portfolio of brilliance, skills, and talent, filled of life-long public commitments involving passion for arts, humanity, global communication, and peace projects.
Quincy Jones’ pivotal words, “Your future is so bright it burns my eyes,” to Oprah as well as my own words, “Peace comes with the patience to see and be the beautiful,” were brought to my mind when I heard Gorman complete her performance poem that began by asking
where can we find light
…
For there was always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it. (Amanda Gorman)
No doubt, many eyes were burning on the 20th of January as this 22-year-old clearly embraced her high-reaching goals. We see, hear, and feel Gorman courageously hold her hands/torch high, not breaking faith with the master women warriors who came before her as she accepts her challenge:
a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one. (Amanda Gorman)
In her iconic publication, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya’s focus is on strength of character and a love of literature to overcome racism and trauma.
The caged bird sings with A fearful trill of things unknown But longed for still and his Tune is heard on the distant hill For the caged bird sings of freedom. (Maya Angelou)
The fearful trill continues unabated for people impoverished through ignorance, health, fear, trauma, and are in difficult situations without a reasonable support network. Strength of character, courage, extraordinary kindness and compassion, a peace-seeking heart/soul and high degree of patience and determination are what I have found to be a means of overcoming division. Deeply reflecting about peace, acceptance, and resistance, I often thought:
It is through people, not like us, that help us grow, (M. E. Lacey)
When one finds themselves encircled by conflicting perspectives, the flight or fight response can change one’s behaviour. Hurt people hurt people. When one needs support the most, a sufferer often isolates. Fear sits at the heart of pain. Relieving suffering is peaceful methodology. Don’t wait to be asked to give help; offer it especially to those who are hurting. These are the times, that I say:
Sometimes, justice is “just us.” (M. E. Lacey)
Peace comes with the patience to see, and be, the beautiful. M. E. Lacey, Artists for Peace, 2004
