The Hill We Climb : Today
Today I was listenting to a recitation by a 22 year old poet Amanda Gorman. If you read any of the international news over the internet, I am sure you must have at least seen her name over the last couple of days. I strongly encourage if you are reading this post to watch the video below and listen to her powerful words!
We have a few excellent people in the community who loves poetry. Some of them does top quality recitation like @deepu7. I am curious what you think about the poem and the performance deepu.
Today the World is going through a lot of troubles. When Amanda writes, she talks about some of that from her point of view. She talks about her position in her country. Her position within her family, her birth, her skin color, her young age. She talks about all the concerns that a 22 year old young lady might have. But then she transcends above all her personal issues and teach us world order! And she nails it! She starts like this..
When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never ending shade?
The loss we carry, a sea we must wade.
We braved the belly of the beast.
Isn't it true that the last few years our world is constantly driven into the politics of fear and hate? Not just in the United States, but elsewhere in the world too. Pseudo-nationalism is on the rise almost everywhere. Where is the hope? Where is the tremendous scientific and technological advacement that we promised oursellves in the 2000s? And above all, where is the leadership? On top of that, the year 2020! The burden of 2 Million Deaths worldwide, and counting!
I am hopeful like Amanda. I think we have braved the belly of the beast. We are still dealing with the crisis, but a Chinese Scientist working in the lab of University of Texas, Austin, invented how to battled the virus ruining our planet. A vaccine is now made and is being distributed all over the world. 5-6 more months, and I believe we will have herd immunity. I believe we will wade the sea of sorrow.
And this effort very nearly succeeded. But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith, we trust. For while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.
Recently, there had been war against the democracy itslef. But she correctly pointed, while conspiracy theories and moronic visions of the world can be dominant, the only thing it can do it to delay the inevitable. Because democracy can not be defeated, Science can not be defeated. Not only science will win over conspiracy. Science will thrive. There are more smart people on the planet than dumb ones. So we will educate the dumb ones, slowly but surely.
Amanda also pointed out it is alright to be afraid. But at the same time, we must act while being afraid. Because if we don't speak, the platform won't be empty. Someone else will speak and perhaps even lie, and words have strengths. Just like these words. So it is our duty to keep the flame going keep the platform of science and democracy occupied.
Today we don't need walls between the nations, we need bridges, We need longer tables, so that we can all sit down and eat together. We need longer tables, not higher walls. And we must remember, that future is not a gift, its an achievement.
Here is Amanda's full poem.
You know dada, I used to believe the same. But as days pass by this seems less and less true. Or maybe it's just exactly what you pointed out a couple of lines later - we're letting the dumb ones speak for too long and take the stage for themselves.
Dactar that 22 year old gave that answer as well
It’s that bravery dactar that we need. And we can’t be quiet. We all can have our own book and our own tree. As long as we don’t hurt each other’s feelings.
That’s why we climb that hill doc!
I have thought about it dada and I have concluded it's not individual bravery that can make the difference. The individual bravery can spark the change, can initiate the difference making but it can not be completed without united bravery.
But the we see bravery and unity shown in movements like black lives matter, but did it really make any difference? Will it make any difference? When I go and work in a foreign country, I will be a victim of racism and that is a fact. Bravery didn't wipe out racism. Unity didn't wipe out racism. And so it makes me wonder where is it going wrong for the world.
I know we have to hold on to hope and that is okay, but I really don't have an answer.
Agreed on your first point.
Regarding when you go to UK and work there, yes, there will be racism (just like here on hive, and at home); but there will also be people of all color and races who will invite you to be their friends with open arms. And their numbers will be far higher. Do you know why? Because there are more good people in the world than bad. That is a fact.
No one can be more racist then us, people of the sub-continent! LOL. Imagine if 70% of doctors or any other profession for that matter is from people from sub-saharan Africa in Bangladesh, how would the population react? It will be total anarchy well before that.
However, that is the fact in England right now. And the country is doing okay, considering the circumstances. They are wonderful people, modern Brits are! Most of them will invite you with open arms. I assure you, that you will enjoy that multicultural melting pot, just like I do.
This is the hope we go by dada! I guess it comes down to what you originally said, the good people need to be more exposed, more vocal and not let the propagandists carry on unopposed.
When she spoke it made me smile ,
Today my country is on fire. We have riots and looting. I need more words to comfort me !
You wrote : Today we don't need walls between the nations, we need bridges, We need longer tables, so that we can all sit down and eat together. We need longer tables, not higher walls. And we must remember, that future is not a gift, its an achievement.
We need more unfortunately
Let’s hope for better times and safe days
But this is a beautiful blog to honour
Society is not free.
Freedom is not free.
They come at a cost. The cost is kindness. The responsibility is inclusiveness. It is time we stand up and take responsibility and educate the other side. Elevate their standard of living. We can't expect "refugees" to live peacefully for $10/hr while others talk about 52-week high of the stock market or BTC is at $35,000. If BTC doesn't give food to the hungry, unfortunately they will come and get their food. It's that simple.
And no wall can stop them.
I don’t have the solution to all, I just hope we all can overcome this time of hurt, fear and pandemic. I am crying for all that’s is happening in our beautiful world. Let’s try all to keep sane and safe. And we will always have difference in life standards and earnings but war, unfair and violence like we have here now is just not nesseccary
Sorry I am just so sad since two days
I appreciate that you wrote such trivial words I wish I could have given you the solution
B
No worries. It is okay to be hurt. It is okay to be afraid.
As Albus Dumbledore said it is the unknown we fear
I have faith in humanity. Give it time and I am sure together we will find a way through the darkness.
We should listen to Amanda and really believe her:
I hope the day that I step out of the shade and feel safe again , will still be healthy and our world is sweet again.
And I will be brave to see it and acknowledge it!
Honestly, this is the first time I hear her recitation. As a reciter, a different kind of soft corner works for all poets and reciters.
The above line has raised me a lot and it is very true. The style of reciting the poem is as beautiful as the poem itself. Thank you Dada for giving me the opportunity to listen it.
This is what I also feel sometimes. Most of the time we are moving towards dividation. It's not expected. Really we need longer tables!
Very few people have listened to her before, but now everyone is talking about her!! :)
Did you know that she had speech impediment and couldn't pronounce certain words until even two years back. She says even today she has difficulty in pronunciation of any word with "r".
Not before Dada. I Just did some study from Wikipedia.
It proves again that no obstacle can stop anyone if she has strong will.
I have seen the performance live. One thing was making me surprised, what a beautiful culture that pushes 22 years young to come to this stage of honor.
I didn't want to but a little frustration coved my mind comparing this with our country.
Her words were powerful just like her confidence.
Yes, that is encouraged in the schools here. It's quite analyzing to see 10 year old... my daughter class friend from school is actually working on a novel that he is going to publish. I am not making it up!
Isn't that great?
I only wish.
Here, the authority will not do much and no need to say about the education system. So we parents have to work on it.
Thanks for the wrote up. Have a great day!
Truth, she said some thoughtful words that can take one to sit and reason again. I listened to the video as you said, and I was hit myself. She must have put in quite a lot of time towards writing this words.
I am not a poetry writer but I do try make an attempt when I am inspired by one. So I might be able to relate to the time it took her to get that together.
The corona took us indoors and indeed we lost a lot of lives but I have faith of a better tomorrow. Soon enough, there would be enough vaccines to cover every country and the word corona would be a thing of the past.
Thanks for sharing this useful piece.
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I am not sure I understand anything that you said. I haven't downvoted any of your posts.
I downvote many things as needed in general. If something is over-rewarded or if something is spam and harmful for the chain. Its a normal daily activity.