Today, on Wednesday 20th January 2021, marks a historic day for the United States of America. 46th President Joe Biden has been sworn in alongside Vice-President Kamala Harris, marking the beginning of a new administration. President Biden inherits a precarious situation and faces many challenges ahead in his first 100 days.
Calling inauguration day one of “history and hope”, this is no more evident than in the election of Kamala Harris as the first female, first black, and first Asian-American to hold the office of Vice President. In a tweet on the official POTUS account, President Biden has pledged to address the problems facing the American people head on during his Presidency.
There is no time to waste when it comes to tackling the crises we face. That’s why today, I am heading to the Oval Office to get right to work delivering bold action and immediate relief for American families.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 20, 2021
45th President, Donald Trump, left the White House ahead of the ceremony and is the first departing president not to attend his successor’s inauguration ceremony since 1869. However, 45th Vice President, Mike Pence, was in attendance with his wife, Karen.
Bethany Collins, Current Affairs Editor, asked Empoword Journalism contributors for their reactions on the inauguration and the new Biden-Harris administration.
Many contributors are overjoyed to see themselves represented in Kamala Harris and are hopeful for the precedent this will set
“As a woman of colour, I believe it’s going to be a historic inauguration owing to the swearing-in of Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States. She is the first woman, first Black person, and first person of South Asian descent who will be taking on the prestigious role. Biden will offer unity and healing hopefully if he delivers promises such as repealing Trump’s travel ban on Muslim-majority states, stopping to build the Mexico border wall, and vowing to ease racial divisions as he has said earlier that he would never ‘take the African-American community for granted.’ As a Pakistani, I look forward to the Biden presidency as an opportunity for my country to strengthen its economic and strategic ties with the US.” Hamna Baig
“Despite holding my own reservations about this administration and hesitant to celebrate too much before they have started proving they’re prepared to do what they were elected to do, I can’t help the pang of emotion I felt watching Kamala Harris swearing her oath. As a child of Asian immigrants myself, to see someone who looks like me, stand on the most influential stage in the world, in a position of elected power, is something I was never shown to be possible, until now. I’ve never heard Biden speak like this before. His speeches have always carried a lilt in his intonation that felt memorised that I thought was probably just characteristic, (but felt less engaging than someone like Obama). But here he sounds so powerful and compelling. There is a definite shift in tone that we knew was coming and I hope his forthcoming actions will match up.” Aarthee Pari
“I’d like to add how surprisingly emotional it was to watch Kamala Harris get sworn in as a woman. It felt like a huge step forward and a symbol of unity and equality. For her to take that seat after four years filled with hate and divide, was a really special moment globally I think.” Amelia Green
“This is a historic day for America with the arrival of Kamala Harris as the first woman (and person of colour) Vice President of the US, acting as a symbol to young girls across America that anything is possible through ambition and hard work. Joe Biden as the 46th US President will also bring about a new process of healing, repairing much of the divisions which has plagued the US over the last few years. Whilst the polarisation of the US and bitterness many still feel about Trump losing office isn’t going to go away, we must stay optimistic that today will gradually bring about a new progressiveness in American politics and finally start to bring the impact of the pandemic on the country under control.” Lauren McGaun
“The last four years in American democracy have been particularly marred by division, discrimination, and fear but as we see Biden and Harris step into their White House roles, for today it feels we can breathe a little sigh of relief. Though there is much work to be done, particularly as a South Asian woman, seeing the first African Americans and South Asian woman sworn in as VP shouts progress and hope to the world.” Sanjana Idnani
“Watching President Joe Biden and the first female and person of colour Vice President Kamala Harris take their oaths, swearing them into office, we are reminded that all hope is not lost. Whilst there is still considerable work to be done, it is refreshing to finally see some light at the end of this dark tunnel.” Nia Thomas
“The diversity and inclusivity within this new government is, for the first time, something that the rest of the world can marvel at and be inspired by. Kamala Harris – the first female Vice-President, the first Black-American and south Asian Vice President. Sonia Sotomayor – the first Latina Justice on the US Supreme Court. Rachel Levine – the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. These inclusive changes mean that as we watch the inauguration today, so many marginalised groups of which this dream would once seem too far from reach, can now dream of one day being the President of the United States of America and the ‘Leader of the Free World’.” Caitlin Parr
Others are happy that the Trump presidency is over and are hopeful for what a new administration may bring
“With the Capitol Riots just 2 weeks ago, this feels like a new dawn for America- a step towards a brighter future, and a glimmer of renewed hope. Biden’s rousing acceptance speech was a glorious triumph after the division and hatred throughout America over the last four years.” Eva Bailey
“Watching President Biden’s and Vice-President Harris walk across the inauguration stage is the equivalent to the world drawing a sigh of relief. The four years ahead will be rife with division and uncertainty but you can tell that the US, if not the entire world, is grateful for this moment, no matter how fleeting it might be, to breathe again.” Rebecca Carey
“Democracy and its significance was at the forefront of the inauguration ceremony. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris inherit a deeply divided nation and it will be really interesting to watch how the US evolves in the next 4 years. For now incoming changes like climate change legislation and the end of the travel ban in regards to immigration policies are a glimpse into a refreshing new direction.” Nerea Zambrano
“As I watch the inauguration, I could not help but think back to 4 years ago and quite how different things are. A country more divided than ever, riddled with hatred and widespread illness. Many are now sighing in relief at the exit of quite possibly, the most controversial president they have ever seen, but I do not feel the same way. As much as I would like to feel the same relief, I feel scared. I am worried for Joe Biden’s safety, the safety of his family, the safety of his supports – and I cannot push the feeling of dread out of my mind.” Lauren Taylor
“Just like all previous inaugurations, this one is historic. This new American government will be the most diverse than it has ever been before, with the first ever female and black vice-president. “The dream of the justice for all will be deferred no longer,” he said in his first speech as president. And the inauguration and his new chosen government show this. But the sheer size of the contrast of what the Capitol looked like only two weeks ago during the Capitol Riots is testament of just how turbulent times are. And how far away they are from ‘the dream of justice’. No matter what one may think about the new president and vice-president, one can only hope the next four years will be (somewhat) quieter than the previous four.” Alice Sjöberg
“The inauguration of Joe Biden is a monumental day for America with Kamala Harris becoming the first female Vice President. Let’s hope the next four years are full of unity, hope and peace for America.” Isabella Boneham
Whatever the next four years may bring, the overall feeling from Empoword Journalism contributors is that there is a sense of hope and of progress in the Biden-Harris administration. Looking ahead to the first 100 days and beyond, only time will tell how long the healing process will take in a deeply divided nation.
Bethany Collins
Featured image courtesy of René DeAnda via Unsplash. This image has in no way been altered. Image license can be found here.
Bethany Collins
First Class Politics graduate from the University of Exeter. Exeposé Print Features Editor 2020-21. Contributing writer, workshop host and former Current Affairs Editor (2020) for Empoword Journalism.