Richard Blanco of Bethel, Maine received the National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 21. He was chosen with 11 other writers, historians, educators and activists from around the country.
Previously selected by President Barack Obama to deliver his poem “One Today” at his second inauguration in 2013, Blanco is the youngest, at 45, and the first Latino, immigrant, and openly gay person to have served in the role.
Reports Bangor Daily News:
The poet received an honorary degree from Colby College in 2014, and delivered a poem at the Waterville college’s 2021 graduation ceremony.
Blanco released his fourth volume of poetry, titled “How to Love a Country,” in which he explores immigration, racism, gun violence and LGBTQ issues in early 2021. In many of his poems, Blanco, a son of Cuban immigrants, speaks about the challenges of immigrating to a new place and engaging with a new culture.
He also co-wrote a play with Vanessa Garcia, also a Cuban American, titled “Sweet Goats and Blueberry Senoritas,” that premiered in Portland on Jan. 25.
The National Humanities Medal is awarded to Americans whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities and broadened Americans’ engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy and other humanities, according to the National Endowment for the Humanities website.
Not a subscriber? Sign up today for a free subscription to Boston Spirit magazine, New England’s premier LGBT magazine. We will send you a copy of Boston Spirit 6 times per year and we never sell/rent our subscriber information. Click HERE to sign up!]
