Insurrection and resurrection both mean to go up; however, the former means to move up to bring death while the latter denotes a coming up to life.
In the lore of ancient Egypt (and later that of Greece and Rome), it was said there was a Phoenix that lived alone in the vast Arabian Desert. The bird was the size of an eagle and its feathers were brilliant gold and red. No one knew the origins of this magnificent creature; it could not be killed. After a lifespan of 500 -600 years, it cremated itself in a roaring fire. When the fire ceased and only ashes remained, the Phoenix resurrected from the ash, renewed and strong to live for centuries again.
In two weeks, January 6th – January 20th, 2021, the world witnessed an insurrection on the Capitol in Washington, D.C. which was incited by the 45th president of the United States. Destruction and death were in its wake.
Two weeks later it was Inauguration Day – fences and military were everywhere; people throughout the nation were glued to their televisions. The Congress was seated in a manner that observed COVID-19 protocols; faces were masked. Four previous presidents were present and masked. The 46th duly elected president of the United States was installed and spoke words in voice and tone that encouraged, inspired, and embraced the people of the United States. The African American, South Asian, female vice president was sworn in, and the African American Youth Poet Laureate of the United States mesmerized all with verbal images of past trauma and the triumph that had begun.
In the two weeks we, the people of the United States of America, saw our tenets of governance nearly abolished. We saw lives threatened and destroyed. But Democracy resurrected itself from the ashes of insurrection with renewed purpose and actions for life, liberty, and justice for all. Democracy, a divine gift, remained intact because the people and leaders were willing to do the work to cultivate and sustain it. Democracy cannot be destroyed. We, the people, daily make the decision to be a democratic nation. Democracy cannot be destroyed. We, the people, decide whether we see it manifest here or deny it and see it flourish elsewhere. We, the people of the United States, have voted to have it as the context in which we experience life, liberty, and justice for all. Democracy resurrects itself in the United States
Reflection
Below are the links to the text and the presentation of Amanda Gorman’s poem on Inaugural Day, January 20, 2021.
View her presentation and then play it again and listen with your eyes close.
Read the poem. Make notes about areas that move you.
Share the information below that you might be source of inspiration to others .
Amanda Gordan, Youth Poet Laureate, United States of America, Inaugural Poem, The Hill We Climb, January 20, 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qovls52YoqQ
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/20/amanda-gormans-inaugural-poem-the-hill-we-climb-full-text.html
Dorothy Watson Tatem, D.Min., ACC
Senior Associate
Next Step Associates,
Cassandra W. Jones, Ed.D.
CEO & President
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