Amanda Gorman has risen to icon status after being the youngest person ever to recite the inauguration poem at the 2021 presidential inauguration and her inspiring performance at the Super Bowl. The young Black writer is known for her beautiful, poignant poetry and activism against injustice.
Now, Gorman has taken to Twitter and Instagram to detail a horrible moment when a security guard followed her to her home and demanded to see proof that she lived there because she looked "suspicious."
Gorman said in her post on Twitter: "A security guard tailed me on my walk home tonight. He demanded if I lived there because 'you look suspicious.' I showed my keys & buzzed myself into the building."
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In a sense, he was right. I AM A THREAT: a threat to injustice, to inequality, to ignorance. Anyone who speaks the truth and walks with hope is an obvious and fatal danger to the powers that be. https://t.co/hY9miR0b6JMarch 6, 2021
Her tweet continued: "He left, no apology, This is the reality of Black girls: One day you’re called an icon, the next day, a threat."
Gorman captioned her post with a powerful statement: ‘"In a sense, he was right. I AM A THREAT: a threat to injustice, to inequality, to ignorance. Anyone who speaks the truth and walks with hope is an obvious and fatal danger to the powers that be."
Fans and celebrities have taken to social media to express their outrage at the event. Lily Collins said: "Keep being the constant light you are. ❤️" Naomi Campbell commented: "Yes sad to say, you are changing the narrative @amandascgorman ❤️"
One fan commented on the post saying: "I’m so sorry this happened to you. Thank you for using your platform to highlight this. You continue to be a force for good in a world that must and should do better."
Another said: "A threat and proud 👏👏👏👏"
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I am so thankful for the outpouring of support since the incident last night. It won't change the truth of what happened, and continues to happen to Black Americans, but it reassures me of what I already know: There is always far more good in this world than bad. Love, Amanda https://t.co/RrsZm9PAsvMarch 6, 2021
Following the huge amount of social support she received, Gorman took to Twitter again to thank everyone for their words, saying: "I am so thankful for the outpouring of support since the incident last night. It won't change the truth of what happened and continues to happen to Black Americans, but it reassures me of what I already know: There is always far more good in this world than bad. Love, Amanda."
