“We cannot tolerate division, but united we can work to humanize our democracy and make democracy relevant to humanity,” Gorman, 26, said at the United Center arena in Chicago.
“We must make sure that we do not collapse. Because a nation that cannot unite cannot stand.”
In 2021, Harvard graduates burst onto the national stage as First Lady Jill Biden invite her to give a speech at President Joe Bideninauguration of.
That memorable appearance made Gorman the youngest inaugural poet in United States history.
Gorman’s poem “The Hill We Climb” and its message of unity in the immediate aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riots resonated with millions of Americans.
Her poetry collections quickly climbed to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list, and overnight, Gorman became a literary celebrity.
Read a transcript of Gorman’s 2024 DNC poem below.
We gather in this sacred place because we believe in the American dream.
We are facing a test race to see whether the country we cherish will perish from the Earth, and whether our Earth will perish from this country.
We must ensure that we do not succumb to a people who cannot unite, or even stand on their own.
We are one family, regardless of religion, class or color. Because what defines a patriot is not just our love of freedom, but our love for one another.
This is the resounding call of our nation, because while we all love freedom, it is love that sets us free.
Empathy liberates, it makes us greater than hate or vanity. It is the American promise, strong and pure. Divided we cannot endure, but united we can strive to humanize our democracy and make it dear to humanity.
And make no mistake, engagement is the hardest task history has ever written, but tomorrow will not be determined by the hardships we endure, but by the audacity of our hope, by the vitality of our votes.
Only now, as we approach this rare breath of air, do we realize that perhaps the American Dream is not so much a dream as a dare to dream together.
Like a million roots tied together, rising humbly, forming one tree, this is our country. From many, one; from battles won; our freedom celebrated; our kingdom yet begun.
Let us save this sacred place. Let us prepare for our journey. From there, together we will birth this new republic and reach extraordinary heights. Let us not just believe in the American dream. Let us deserve it.
