‘The Hill We Climb’

Parent cites poem’s “hate messages.” Huh? | Column, May 26

Thank you for printing Amanda Gorman’s poem. It is an inspiring, uplifting affirmation of hope and faith in our nation. This hope is not born of a denial of our history, but an honest appraisal of what has happened and the belief that the essential design of our democracy makes possible a future that can ascend the greatest heights.

As I read her poem, I recalled an experience I had as an elementary student of about 9. My class in literature included an anthology by Louis Untermeyer. In that anthology I read Rudyard Kipling’s “Recessional,” written on the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. The immortal line went, “Lest we forget, lest we forget.”

The authorities were not amused. And yet, I have lived to see the slow dissolution of the British Empire. As Kipling noted, the future of the empire would be “one with Nineveh and Tyre.”

As I read her poem, I found myself similarly moved. And then I thought, why would we want to deprive any child of the experience of being deeply moved by the power of words spoken with such integrity? And then I have to think: Where are the philistines who sought to silence Kipling because they could not bear the burden of his words? They have faded into well-deserved obscurity while the words of Kipling continue to be read (and sung).

Charles Chamberlain, Spring Hill

Faint praise

Parent cites poem’s “hate messages.” Huh? | Column, May 26

I’d like to thank that one ignorant parent who brought “The Hill We Climb” back to my attention. I was able to go back and watch Amanda Gorman recite her poem. It was as inspiring to me now as it was then. It is a message of peace and love. It should be read and studied by every person K-12 and beyond.

Ilene Schwartz, Brandon

Two faces, two tales

Parent cites poem’s “hate messages.” Huh? | Column, May 26

I was struck by the photos of Amanda Gorman and Stewart Rhodes in Friday’s paper — Amanda’s beautiful face, full of joy and love, and Stewart’s face seemingly full of resentment and hate. And what of our governor who stated that on day one of his presidency that he would be open to pardoning many Jan. 6 insurrectionists?

Eugene McDonald, Tampa