Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra wins Eurovision with a show of support for a nation gripped by war
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks at the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images.
Amanda Gorman says she was racially profiled near her home
NEW YORK — Amanda Gorman, the 22-year-old poet who captured hearts at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, posted to social media that she was followed home by a security guard who demanded to know where she lived because she “looked suspicious.”
“I showed my keys & buzzed myself into my building,” she tweeted of the incident Friday night. “He left, no apology. This is the reality of black girls: One day you’re called an icon, the next day, a threat.”
Gorman, the nation’s youngest inaugural poet, lives in Los Angeles but did not specify where the encounter occurred. Her spokeswoman did not immediately return an email Saturday seeking additional comment.
The post was met with thousands of messages of support on Twitter and Instagram. She followed up her post with a second comment that said:
“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. A threat and proud.”
Gorman became an instant sensation Jan. 20 when she recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at Biden’s swearing-in.
Support Canvas
Sustain our coverage of culture, arts and literature.
Most Popular
‘Faces Of COVID’ memorializes Americans who have died during the pandemic
Detention of WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia extended another month, lawyer says
‘Philip Guston Now’ portrays art of controversial and confrontational painter
A Brief But Spectacular take on the power of documentary filmmaking
Beyond the Canvas: Art is all around us
Celebrity chef Mario Batali acquitted of sexual misconduct allegations
Coalition of librarians, teachers and publishers forms to fight book bans
Atlanta rapper Young Thug arrested on gang charges
Warhol’s portrait of Marilyn Monroe sells for $195 million, most for any U.S. artist
Top Stories
Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra wins Eurovision with a show of support for a nation gripped by war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the victory, Ukraine's third since its 2003 Eurovision debut, and said "we will do our…
Watch
‘Faces Of COVID’ memorializes Americans who have died during the pandemic
Each day the Twitter thread "Faces Of COVID" posts the names, images and a short remembrance of Americans who have…
Detention of WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia extended another month, lawyer says
The lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner says her pre-trial detention in Russia has been extended by one month.
Watch
‘Philip Guston Now’ portrays art of controversial and confrontational painter
Two years ago, four museums were set to present a retrospective of painter Philip Guston. But then, in one of…
Watch
A Brief But Spectacular take on the power of documentary filmmaking
As wildfires continue to rage in the western United States, we look at how these increasingly common events are affecting…
Watch
Beyond the Canvas: Art is all around us
In the season three premiere of Beyond the Canvas, we feature five creators who prove that art is not just…
Celebrity chef Mario Batali acquitted of sexual misconduct allegations
Celebrity chef Mario Batali has been cleared of sexual misconduct following a criminal trial in Boston.
Coalition of librarians, teachers and publishers forms to fight book bans
The American Library Association, the American Federation of Teachers and more than a dozen other organizations have formed a coalition…
Atlanta rapper Young Thug arrested on gang charges
The rapper Young Thug is in Atlanta's Fulton County Jail, accused of co-founding a criminal street gang.
Warhol’s portrait of Marilyn Monroe sells for $195 million, most for any U.S. artist
Andy Warhol's "Shot Sage Blue Marilyn" has sold for $195 million, making the iconic portrait of actress Marilyn Monroe the…
‘Jeopardy’ savors a run of super champions after host stumbles
Three of the five players with the longest winning streaks in the show's history have competed during the past seven…
Watch
‘I’m just getting started’: Musician Jon Batiste on the next phase of his musical journey
Multi-talented musician Jon Batiste received the most nominations of any artist at the recent Grammys, capturing a total of 11…
‘A Strange Loop’ leads Tony award nominations
"A Strange Loop," Michael R. Jackson's critically cheered theater meta-journey earned a leading 11 Tony Award nominations Monday as Broadway…
Watch
Mother’s Day inspiration from a family on the move
On Mother's Day, we look at one mom's inspiration for the next generation. Lourdes Villanueva's parents worked as migrant workers…
Mickey Gilley, who helped inspire ‘Urban Cowboy,’ dies at 86
Gilley died Saturday in Branson, Missouri, where he helped run the Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre. He had been performing…
Most Popular
Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra wins Eurovision with a show of support for a nation gripped by war
‘Faces Of COVID’ memorializes Americans who have died during the pandemic
Detention of WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia extended another month, lawyer says
‘Philip Guston Now’ portrays art of controversial and confrontational painter
A Brief But Spectacular take on the power of documentary filmmaking
Beyond the Canvas: Art is all around us
Celebrity chef Mario Batali acquitted of sexual misconduct allegations
Coalition of librarians, teachers and publishers forms to fight book bans
Atlanta rapper Young Thug arrested on gang charges
Warhol’s portrait of Marilyn Monroe sells for $195 million, most for any U.S. artist