Zaire Krieger New Translator Opening Poem by Amanda Gorman | civilization

Rijneveld brought back the assignment in February, because there was a buzz about her selection. On social media, many people wondered why Reinfeldt chose white and not, say, an Afro-Dutch writer.

“I was shocked by the uproar about my co-publishing Amanda Gorman’s message and I understand people hurt by Mullenhoff’s choice to ask me,” Riegenfeld said via social media. However, I realize that I am in a position to think and feel this way, as there is not much. I still hope that her thoughts will reach as many readers as possible and open many hearts.”

The choice now fell on 25-year-old Zaire Krieger, who, like Gorman, is a “spoken word” poet and artist. She says she will put her “heart and soul into this job”. “This is one of the first steps towards diversity in the literary landscape where word art can be celebrated in all its forms and for all categories.”

Gorman rose to fame in January when she read The Hill We Climb at Joe Biden’s inauguration as President of the United States.