America’s Future is Optimistically Colorful
Even amongst a social-distanced ceremony, President Biden’s inauguration appeared full. A burst of colors bloomed against the nation’s capital building’s matte white background during the celebration. Displaying a powerful message for all to see, the incoming administration’s values and personnel are bright, uplifting, and diverse.
Many critics enjoy comparing how big of a crowd an incoming president’s inauguration can produce. As if the number of people who choose to stand in Washington D.C.’s frigid January weather forecasts how successful a president’s term will be. With the pandemic diminishing any hope of the general public attending the spectacle, the Nations Mall was still inhabited for the event. Nearly 200,000 flags flicker in the crisp morning sunlight consuming the National Mall with shades of red, white, and blue…and orange, and yellow! The beautiful display indented to represent the thousands who could not partake due to the coronavirus also included the U.S.’s five territories; American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Keeping with Biden’s theme of a united America.
Another one of Biden’s significant focuses was also very well expressed during the ceremony; every attendee wore a mask. From the sound engineers, all the way up to the President himself was donning a mask. Amplifying the executive order, President Biden would sign later in the day, requiring all to wear a mask while on land owned by the federal government.
Saturated reds, a Tinted yellow, baby blue, and deep purples were worn by the distinguished women in attendance at the inauguration. Town & Country’s Jessica Iredale gave terrific insight on the potential significance for the choice of color; “Paint by numbers: red + blue = purple. It was a call for unity to heal the great schism between the Republican and Democratic parties’ reds and blues.” On the subject of what was worn during the political event, one outfit seems to steal the show. A 79-year-old Senator from Vermont outfit has captured the focus of the internet since getting its first glimpse. Bernie Sanders first seem leisurely finding his assigned seat waved to colleagues with his now-famous hand-made mittens. A meme of the senator looking quite uncomfortable in his hefty Burton jacket has been inserted into every possible situation that one can imagine.
History was witnessed. A woman, a black, South Asian woman, was sworn in as the Vice President of the United States of America. Her swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. With a lovely hug with her husband and a quick fist bump to soon be sworn in President Biden, she happily took her seat. Later in the evening, during a celebration party, the Vice President spoke to viewers for the first time. Her speech embodied qualities our nation has come to be known for, touching on our countries ability to overcome challenges even in dark times. The Vice President’s evening address continued with the belief that our nation is never a completed task; it takes work and nurturing to grow as a united nation.
After being sworn in as the nation’s 46th President, President Biden took to the podium to address the country. The President’s speech was not filled with self achievements or political party congratulations. He spoke about how today is a victory for America, a victory for democracy. “But the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us.” A call for unity. The President’s speech delivered an optimistic tone that is needed for a nation that has grown weary due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a heated political election. Closing with the statement that together, “we shall write an American story of hope, not fear.”
President Biden’s inauguration was a star-studded event. Still, one star that shined a little brighter than the rest was 22 years old Amanda Gorman. Gorman is the youngest person to deliver a poem at a president’s inauguration. She read a poem she wrote titled “The Hill We Climb.” Within the poem, Gorman chooses to focus on the idea that the American system isn’t broken but merely unfinished, a statement that it captured in lines as
“a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished”.
Gorman’s beautifully written poem mirrors many of the crucial aspects that Joe Biden’s administration hopes to strengthen within our country.
Now the nation looks forward to a hopeful and brighter future. President Biden’s cabinet has been called the most diverse Presidential cabinet in history. Making good on his promise to produce a cabinet that reflects America’s forever evolving demographics. It’s no secret that our the nation’s eyes are not the only ones focused on this new administration, but the world itself is attentively watching what will come of America in the next few years.
Sources:
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/535052-read-transcript-of-amanda-gormans-inaugural-poem
https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a35258292/kamala-harris-inauguration-speech/
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/18/politics/diversity-joe-biden-cabinet-analysis/index.html
