USA TODAY International Edition
Other Views: Prove that unity is no pie- in- the- sky dream
“To unify a seething nation, President Joe Biden needs to chart a moderate course during his first 100 days in the White House. ... Thus far, however, Democrats sound more committed to retribution and pursuing a radically leftist agenda than bringing people together ... federal deficit spending, tax increases, immigration, the ‘ Green New Deal,’ gun control, student- loan debt forgiveness and abortion. ... Biden needs to step back from the ledge and reach out to the middle to show that he believes unity is not a pie- in- the- sky dream, and that he really wants to represent all Americans.”
Njeri Mathis Rutledge, USA TODAY:
“I watched the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President Kamala D. Harris with mixed emotions. As a Black woman, watching my sorority sister and fellow historically black college and university sister make history was a joyful moment. As an American who has family members among the 400,000 lost to COVID- 19, I also felt wounded. ... The Black community worked alongside South Asians, Latinos, traditional Democrats, progressives, frustrated Republicans and independents, and countless others to bring this day into existence. ... As I sit in my living room wearing my pink dress, chucks and pearls, and drying my tears of joy and relief, I am trusting that Harris feels the hopes of the many Americans who feel connected to her, and are applauding her. And as a Black woman, I am filled with a personal sense of pride — not only because of who Kamala Harris is, but because of who we are, collectively. We did it.”
Char Adams, NBC News:
“Amanda Gorman, 22, all but stole the show on Inauguration Day as she performed her original poem, ‘ The Hill We Climb,’ becoming the youngest inaugural poet known in the nation’s history. ( She) became the nation’s first youth poet laureate at 19, while a sophomore at Harvard. ... Gorman’s task was not an easy one: acknowledging the nation’s history and present while dreaming of a better future. To that end, she opened her poem boldly. ‘ When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this neverending shade,’ she said. ‘ We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.’ ”