In what turned out to be one of the finest moments of America’s democracy, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were inaugurated as the 46th President and Vice President of the United States of America respectively.
With the world gradually coming out from a difficult period of pandemic, it had become necessary for all hands to be on deck to steady the ship. The inauguration, which was held on January 20, witnessed a lot of fanfare.
Present at the event was Amanda Gorman, the United States’ first-ever youth poet laureate who made a recitation of a poem. She stated that the purpose of her poetry was not only to give a message of hope, but to also showcase the power of words.
Joe Biden, in his inaugural speech mentioned that; “Today on this January day, my whole soul is in this – bringing American people together, uniting our nation, and I ask every American to join me in this cause.”
His statement shows the admittance of division that has since enveloped the nation prior to Trump’s final exit from office. Recall that on January 6, a lot of Trump’s supporters staged a march to the Capitol, to protest the outcome of the US presidential election that saw Joe Biden declared as winner. This violent protest, which has been described by many as an insurrection, was a big hit on America’s democracy.
Trump, while addressing his supporters had mentioned that: “After this, we’re going to walk down and I’ll be there with you.” He went further to say; “You’ll never take back our country with weakness”. He urged them by saying; “You have to show strength, and you have to be strong.”
His supporters heeded to his words and they walked 16 blocks down Pennsylvania Avenue NW to surround the U.S. Capitol. They breached the gates of the police, destroyed windows while forcing their way in. They invaded the chambers of the Capitol, temporarily put a stop to the due process of finalizing Joe Biden’s election to the presidency. Their actions were seen as a coup against the United State’s 232-year-old democracy.
These actions were of concern to Biden, and he remarked that; “This (USA) is a great nation. We’re a good people and [to] overcome the challenges in front of us requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy — unity. It requires us to come together in common love that defines us as Americans.”
With the crisis facing the nation, it’s important that Biden set the pace for healing. And his inaugural speech said it all. While there are still reservations about America’s democracy, what’s important for the world at large is that peace be restored.
