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Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman took to Twitter on Friday night to share her experience with a security guard who dubbed her “suspicious,” likely due to the color of her skin.
“A security guard followed me tonight as I walked home,” the 22-year-old tweeted, adding that he had demanded to know if she lived in the apartment complex.
“I showed my keys and rang the bell in my building,” she added.
Gorman called for the guard and then left, without apologizing for his accusatory actions. She wrote that the situation brought to light the racial issues facing the United States.
“This is the reality of black girls: one day you are called an icon, the next day a threat,” she said.
A security guard followed me as I walked home tonight. He asked if I lived there because “you look suspicious”. I showed my keys and entered my building. He’s gone, no excuses. This is the reality of black girls: one day you are called an icon, the next day a threat. https://t.co/MmANtQqpBs
– Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) March 5, 2021
Gorman’s tweet refers to the accolades she received after her inaugural viral performance in January. She was then invited to perform at the Super Bowl, for which she was also widely praised.
As the youngest presidential inaugural poet in US history, Gorman drew special attention for his performances. She said she was using her platform to draw attention to other young black women.
Wow, a fantastic @washingtonpost piece by @nnekamcguire . We live in a contradictory society that can celebrate a black poet and also pepper spray at 9 years old. Yes, see me, but also see all the other black girls who have been made invisible. I can’t, I don’t want to get up alone. https://t.co/tP531SCjrk
– Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) February 14, 2021
“We live in a contradictory society that can celebrate a black poet and also pepper spray at age 9,” she wrote on February 14. The tweet refers to an article that was written about the praise she received following an incident. during which Rochester police sprayed a young girl with pepper.
“Yes, see me, but also see all the other black girls who have been made invisible,” she added. “I can’t, I don’t want to get up alone.”
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