![]() Samantha Gross, Fellow in the Foreign Policy program and Director of the Energy Security and Climate Initiative It’s the past we step into, and how we repair it.” Beginning the uphill battle of climate change – Samantha Gross In the words of Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, “Being American is more than a pride we inherit. The hard work of healing lies not only in taking stock of the magnitude of loss before us, but also taking bold action. Moreover, investing more equally in our “lost Einsteins,” Harvard researchers estimate, will quadruple innovation. If we remember history, we will stop excluding whole categories of workers from equal protection under our labor laws. It means more equal access to education, quality jobs, a living wage, and safety nets. ![]() Healing means ending over-incarceration and ensuring people with a conviction record can find housing, get jobs, and rebuild their lives. We need structural reforms to achieve free and fair elections and to ensure that every American has representation in Congress.Īs the granddaughter of survivors of Nazi occupation, to me healing means preventing-not just lamenting-the loss of dignity, rights, and opportunity. Healing means addressing the root causes of the pandemic’s uneven impacts. In addition to containing the virus, healing means renewing our social and democratic institutions. In his speech at the Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday evening, the night before his inauguration, Biden also hinted at a deeper sense of loss: the wounds going back hundreds of years-the loss of freedom for slaves, the loss of opportunity from segregation and discrimination, and the loss of homelands for people who lived here before Europeans. Biden as the 46th president of the United States took place as many of us are dealing with the raw trauma of loss-the loss of loved ones, the loss of jobs, and the loss of the ability to relax with friends. And it’s hard sometimes to remember, but that’s how we heal.” Rubenstein Fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program They seem to understand the nation’s present and future citizenry demand it.Īnnelies Goger, David M. But the Biden-Harris inauguration, through its presentation and promises, made clear that this administration wants to unify America. This has led to sharply divisive politics. In recent years, the wants of different segments of the nation’s citizenry have evolved into competing voting blocs: old versus young, white versus Black, rural versus urban. At the same time, Biden has promised to address the employment and health concerns of America’s older adult population, many of whom have taken large economic hits during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not benefitted from the pre-pandemic economic booms. ![]() The new president’s plans to invest in the well-being of these youth (comprised heavily of Latino or Hispanic and Black Americans) are essential to their prosperity as well as that of the nation. When finalized, the 2020 census will show that people of color-including many first- and second-generation Americans-will contribute to most of the growth of our nation’s population, especially its youth and younger labor force. His pledges to confront systemic racism, repeal the Muslim immigrant ban, and enable new Americans to join the ranks of our population is consistent with the evolving social and demographic needs of our nation. ![]() The powerful presentation of “The Hill We Climb” by Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman-a 22-year-old Black woman-along with the stirring renditions of “This Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful” by Jennifer Lopez more than set the stage for President Biden’s proclamation that America must come to terms with the long-standing issues encountered by its diverse citizenry. ![]() In contrast to the priorities of the previous administration-which harked back to yesterday’s older, whiter, and more rural nation in attempts to “make America great again”-the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris underscored the challenges and opportunities for both present and future America. Frey, Senior Fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program DOMESTIC POLICY AND HEALING A DIVIDED NATION This inauguration spoke to today’s-and tomorrow’s-America – William H. ![]()
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