I can breathe again.
The inauguration was energizing, cleansing and rejuvenating, like fresh air. Speeches and songs were threaded with much needed words of unity, hope and optimism. The words of 22-year-old Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate, was especially moving, as she recited, “The Hill We Climb.”
The multiculturalism of America shone brightly as the camera spanned the landscape of the U.S. Capitol’s West Front. Attendees, speakers and, of course, Vice President Harris herself represent the fabric of what America is today. New positions in government are being filled with a cross section of cultural representation. America has a rich culture because of its diversity, a fact that should be celebrated, flaunted, supported and promoted.
I confess I don’t usually watch the inaugurations. But I had to see it for myself. I needed closure on the last tumultuous four years and the promise of a new beginning. With my continuous sense of urgency to understand and feed my curiosity, I made diligent efforts to comprehend the actions and inactions of the past administration. I demanded of myself that I stay informed by accessing information from credible sources, trudging through the (heart)breaking news of the day. But this behavior turned me into a news junkie, succumbing to the dismal practice of daily doomscrolling.
I look forward to a tectonic shift in government, but I don’t envy President Biden and his administration. They have gargantuan tasks ahead of them and will have to withstand criticism because the solutions will be imperfect. There are no perfect solutions to the problems handed to them. But I truly believe they will take us in the right direction. To quote Amanda Gorman, “This doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. We are striving to forge a union with purpose.”
Our voting system ensures privacy for a reason. Who we align with politically is a private matter unless we live in the political world. This is not meant to be a political post. This is me sharing my perspective of an uplifting experience that represents a new beginning that I optimistically believe can bring life to messages of purpose and harmony – so we can all breathe again.
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