This Guitar-Playing Badass Is The New Poet Laureate Of The United States

Ayyyyyyy, the US has a new poet laureate! Or, as the mouthful of a position is technically called, a new Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. Juan Felipe Herrera has been appointed America's official poet, taking over from Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Wright. Herrera's work spans art and activism, and draws from his broad experiences living and working as a Mexican-American throughout California. Last year, he finished up a two-year stint as the poet laureate of California. He was the first Latino in that position, too. In his new role, he's tasked with "raising the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry."

"This is a mega-honor for me, for my family and my parents who came up north before and after the Mexican Revolution of 1910—the honor is bigger than me," said Herrera of the appointment.

Watch Herrerra's beautiful performance at the 1973 Festival de Flor y Canto de Atzlan above, and find out more about his work via the Library of Congress.