'The truth is, one nation under guns': Poet and activist Amanda Gorman shares emotional poem following Texas school shooting
On Tuesday, Poet and activist Amanda Gorman shared a moving poem on Twitter in the wake of a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that has left at least 19 students and two adults dead.
The 2021 National Youth Poet Laureate, 24, used her platform to call out gun violence in America, posing a poignant question about the future of children's safety in schools.
Schools scared to death.
The truth is, one education under desks,
Stooped low from bullets;
That plunge when we ask
Where our children
Shall live
& how
& if— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) May 24, 2022
It takes a monster to kill children. But to watch monsters kill children again and again and do nothing isn’t just insanity—it’s inhumanity.
— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) May 24, 2022
The truth is, one nation under guns.
— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) May 24, 2022
What might we be if only we tried.
What might we become if only we’d listen.— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) May 24, 2022
Gorman also shared her tweets on her Instagram account on Tuesday, where she has nearly 4 million followers, with a call to action.
"Americans—you know enough is enough. If you do anything today, let it not be just to grieve, but to act," she wrote.
The post has been liked more than 700,000 times. Followers commended the poet for putting their feelings of grief, fear and anger into words.
"Grateful for your words when words feel impossible," wrote actress Rachel Brosnahan.
"You certainly have a way with words! It is devastating." shared another.
"As a teacher, I am broken. Every day that we let this madness continue," one wrote.
President Biden addressed the nation following the tragedy on Tuesday, speaking about his support for stricter gun laws and pleading for a stronger stance against gun manufacturers.
"We know common-sense gun laws can't and won't prevent every tragedy. But we know they work and have a positive impact. When we passed the assault weapons ban — mass shootings went down. When the law expired — mass shootings tripled," Biden said. "The idea that an 18-year-old kid can walk into a gun store and buy two assault weapons is just wrong. What in God's name do you need an assault weapon for except to kill someone?"
The National Rifle Association's Annual Leadership Forum will take place on Friday in Houston, Texas. Former President Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz are set to speak at the event. Guns have been banned during Trump's address.
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