Watch her 2018 TED-Ed talk to learn a little more about her. You will see that, in the tradition of speaking truth to power, Ms. Gorman often turns to her literary mantra, “I am the daughter of Black writers, who are descended from Freedom Fighters, who broke the chains who changed the world. They call me.” What does she say in this talk that stands out for you? Why?

Have you ever encountered poetry that, like the examples she gives, has something interesting to say about politics and democracy? What examples come to mind?

How might you answer her key questions: “Whose shoulders do you stand on? What do you stand for?”