By Oscar Mata
On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. It was a ceremony like none before it, as amidst the Coronavirus pandemic only 1,000 guests were invited. Crowds were barred from the National Mall and instead, nearly 200,000 flags were placed to represent all the Americans unable to attend the event. Virtual parades were held, broadcast from many states across the country as a “Parade Across America.”
But some constants still remained. Renowned singers were invited to perform, such as pop artist Lady Gaga and country star Garth Brooks. Following President Obama’s example, Biden invited poet Amanda Gorman to recite her heartfelt poem “The Hill We Climb.” Kamala Harris and Joe Biden were sworn into office by Supreme Court Justices.
Lady Gaga Sings the National Anthem (Source: tvline.com)
As with most inauguration ceremonies however, the highlight was the inaugural address. Typically during this speech, the elected president would establish their goals and present their vision for the country. They would push their agenda and rally their supporters. President Biden however didn’t follow the example set by his predecessors because he couldn’t. The nation was fractured from the division brought by rising tensions between political parties and the riot on Capitol Hill. In order to remedy the situation, President Biden used his inaugural address to plead with American citizens to unite for the common cause of democracy.
Notable Passages:
“This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge. Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy.”
Biden opens his speech by celebrating the peaceful transition power. He claims the inauguration itself is a win for democracy regardless of the candidate because it symbolizes the country’s democratic process.
“So now, on this hallowed ground where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the capital’s very foundation, we come together as one nation under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries”
Biden addresses the American people. (Source: BBC News)
Biden recognizes the damage caused by the riots on the Capitol and how they attempted to obstruct democracy. But he states that democracy has prevailed through the unity of the nation who’ve once more ensured the peaceful transfer of power.
“But the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. On “We the People” who seek a more perfect Union. This is a great nation and we are a good people. Over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we have come so far.”
Biden asserts that America is composed of all of its citizens and we’ve persevered through troubling times in the past to make the country what it is today.
“Few periods in our nation’s history have been more challenging or difficult than the one we’re in now. A once-in-a-century virus silently stalks the country. It’s taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II. Millions of jobs have been lost. Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed. A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer. A cry for survival comes from the planet itself. A cry that can’t be any more desperate, or any more clear. And now, a rise in political extremism, white supremacy, and domestic terrorism that we must confront and we will defeat.”
Biden professes that the country is facing a multitude of challenges, such as the recent pandemic that has taken countless lives, or the millions of jobs lost and businesses closed. He mentions global warming, racism, political extremism, white supremacy, and terrorism .
“To overcome these challenges – to restore the soul and to secure the future of America – requires more than words. It requires that most elusive of things in a democracy: Unity.”
Here Biden reaches the climax of his speech, saying that to overcome the issues that plague the country we require Unity. The country has been divided for far too long, and recent events certainly haven’t helped. It was extremist outrage over the Presidential Election that caused the Capitol Hill riots. It was the killing of George Floyd in police custody that re-sparked the Black Lives Matter protests. These controversial issues have been so hard to resolve largely because they pit Americans against Americans.
“Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this, bringing America together, uniting our people, uniting our nation. And I ask every American to join me in this cause. Uniting to fight the common foes we face: Anger, resentment, hatred. Extremism, lawlessness, violence. Disease, joblessness, hopelessness. With unity we can do great things. Important things. We can right wrongs. We can put people to work in good jobs. We can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome this deadly virus. We can reward work, rebuild the middle class, and make health care secure for all. We can deliver racial justice. We can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world.”
Biden lists what our country can do if it is united. We can create good jobs, create good schools, overcome the pandemic, guaranteed health care for all, and deliver racial justice.
“I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. But I also know that they are not new. Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we all are created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, and demonization have long torn us apart.”America thrives on equality. It’s been one of the principal values touted by the country since the Declaration of Independence. But being told of American equality doesn’t make it a reality, and millions of Americans have been denied the equality promised by America. In turn, this divides the country between those who are granted true equality and those who aren’t.We can see each other not as adversaries, but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury. No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward. And, we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail. We have never, ever, ever failed in America when we have acted together. And so today, at this time and in this place, let us start afresh. All of us. Let us listen to one another. Hear one another. See one another. Show respect to one another. Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war. And, we must reject a culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured.”
Biden reiterates that in order to truly overcome adversity, the country must unite as one. He claims that when united, America has never failed. But he also encourages Americans to wade through the misinformation and deceptive propaganda to pursue the truth. This was the same stance he took when combating President Trump’s claim that the election has been “stolen.”
“My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this. America has to be better than this. And, I believe America is better than this. Just look around. Here we stand, in the shadow of a Capitol dome that was completed amid the Civil War, when the Union itself hung in the balance. Yet we endured and we prevailed. Here we stand, looking out on the great mall where Dr. King spoke of his dream. Here we stand, where 108 years ago at another inaugural, thousands of protesters tried to block brave women marching for the right to vote. And today, we marked the swearing in of the first woman in American history elected to national office, Vice President Kamala Harris. Don’t tell me things can’t change.”
Biden eloquently urges Americans to change from their divided ways. He takes examples from history when change was spearheaded at the Capitol itself and at Great Mall to prove Americans can change. His examples included Dr. Kings iconic “I Have A Dream” speech, women marching for the right to vote during President Woodrow Wilsons’ inauguration, and the completion of the Capitol dome during the Civil War.
“To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart. And if you still disagree, so be it. That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably, within the guardrails of our Republic, is perhaps our nation’s greatest strength. Yet hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion. And I pledge this to you: I will be a President for all Americans. I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.”
Biden declares democracy protects the right to dissent peacefully, not the insurrection that occurred on Capitol Hill. He promises that as President, he will work for all Americans, including the dissenters. Additionally, his use of “disunion” reveals the severity of the current strife in America.
“Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson. There is truth, and there are lies. Lies told for power and for profit. And each of us has a duty and a responsibility as citizens, as Americans, and especially as leaders, leaders who are pledged to honor our Constitution and protect our nation, to defend the truth, and defeat the lies.”
Again, Biden comments on Trump’s claims of election fraud. Not only does he accuse Trump of spreading lies about the election, but he holds Trump responsible for the Capitol Hill riots because as a leader, he is charged with protecting the nation from misinformation.
“But the answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who don’t look like you or worship the way you do, or don’t get their news from the same source as you do. We must tend this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, consrvitive versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. If we show a little tolerance and humility, and if we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes.”
Biden addresses the triviality of separating into divided factions. He uses the word “soul” to underscore that we are all inherently equal. Circumstance and experiences shape us into who we are today. Biden believes that by considering others’ lives, our country can prosper.
“We will need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter. We are entering what may well be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus. We must set aside the politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation.”
Biden used “dark winter” as part of his campaign against Trump during the election to explain Trump’s shortcomings while handling the pandemic. Here he claims that under his administration and with the help of a united nation, we can overcome the Coronavirus.
“America has been tested, and we’ve come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again. Not to meet yesterday’s challenges, but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. And we’ll lead not merely by the example of our power, but by the power of our example. We will be a strong and trusted partner for peace, progress, and security.”
Biden asserts that Trump’s presidency was a test for the American people. He vows to repair global alliances and reinstate the United States as a role model for the world, not a bully nation that asserts its will through brute force.
“And together, we shall write an American story of hope not fear, of unity not division, of light not darkness, a story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness. May this be the story that guides us, the story that inspires us, and the story that tells ages yet to come that we answered the call of history. We met the moment. Democracy and hope, truth and justice did not die on our watch, but thrived. That our America secured liberty at home and stood once again as a beacon to the world. That is what we owe our forebearers, one another, and generations to follow. So, with purpose and resolve we turn to the tasks of our time. Sustained by faith. Driven by conviction. And, devoted to one another and to this country we love with all our hearts. May God bless America and may God protect our troops. Thank you, America.”
Biden ends his speech by describing the qualities of an American story he wishes to write while president. He wishes to imbue American society with hope, unity, light, decency, dignity, love, greatness, and goodness. He wishes to protect the democracy, truth, and justice infringed upon in recent times. Circling back to our responsibilities as citizens, Biden believes we owe our predecessors and our descendants the kind of America that has been a beacon for the world.
President Biden utilized his inaugural address not for himself, but for the American people. He tried to inspire hope and boost morale during these depressing times. He spoke of the resilience of our democracy, and how even after events that attempt to obstruct it, democracy will always prevail. But most of all, he stressed the importance of our uniting as a nation, abandoning hate and violence in favor of solving our problems together.
Biden’s address and stance as president could be aptly summarized in his quote “Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path. Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war.” Not only does this speech directly oppose his predecessor’s view of politics—in which fighting and violent resistance are the only ways to bring change—it also applies to recent events. The destructive pro-Trump invasion of Capitol Hill didn’t need to happen if rioters expressed themselves civilly and peacefully. Electoral politics shouldn’t be so extreme that the smallest of legislative decisions are met with threats and hatred. Peace, prosperity, and happiness can only be achieved with one thing: Unity.