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Op-Ed
Biden's spectacular, however narrow, victory in the 2020 presidential election stilled the clatter of 21st century life. It marked the beginning of a new era for the United States, and the wider world. Four days of ballot counting subjected the world to the greatest of anxieties, with many fearing a second term of the Trump administration.
When Donald Trump first assumed the mantle of president in the 2016 elections, this was a socially fundamental regression for the American Society. This was a return to the racially intolerant America that the world had grown accustomed to, not so long ago. This was a blight on the mission of women, who sought to have their plight of equity heard amidst this robustly male population. The LGBTQ+ population was denied so blatantly the empathy that was indebted to them. The treatment handed to Immigration Reform was crude and insensitive. Under Trump's administration, more than 4000 children were separated from their parents at the border. The internal administration itself was fraught with scandal. It was alleged that President Trump had paid a sum of $130,000 to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. The indiscretion of the president, as after further investigation it was determined that he had indeed done as such, was utterly shameful.
The American people can at last sing praises, for they have spoken. Biden has heard the American cry, and has promised a society that heals the “soul” of the nation; he said as much in a press conference in November of 2020, adding that the initial philosophies the nation was predicated upon, would finally come to fruition.
In his victory speech, Biden quoted from the book of Ecclesiastes, "The Bible tells us to that everything there is a season" reassuring the American people that that was the time for a better America. The president-elect outlined his plans for the Biden America- a safer, more tolerant, and more liberal America. He promised a more female-centric America, something that struck a chord with many supporters, who felt reassured at the very least. Democrat voters did not hold back in their excitement. A festive atmosphere erupted on the streets outside the White House on Saturday November 7th, as thousands of Biden supporters honked cars, banged on pots, and let out enormous cheers to celebrate the victory. LGBTQ flags were flown, and Black Lives Matter t-shirts were worn by many.
Kamala Harris is the epitome of perseverance, if there ever were one. She stands, proudly, as the first of many things: the first Black and first South Asian Vice president, but also first woman to assume the mantle. The Californian Senator’s historical win represents the the millions of women silenced at the hands of misogyny. It represents the revolution of women, who are often underrepresented and systematically overlooked. It is the most spectacular glass-ceiling break in all of the country’s history.
“We did it, we did it, Joe," she posted herself saying on Twitter, while on a phone call with Biden.
Her mission is to show that women can be a part of the direct running of the nation’s affairs. "That I am here tonight is a testament to the dedication of generations before me," Harris said during her Democratic National Convention acceptance speech in August, mentioning women such as Constance Baker Motley, Fannie Lou Hamer and Shirley Chisholm.
"You didn't have to be confined by anyone else's idea of what it means to be Black," she told CNN's Dana Bash, while talking about her time at Howard University on State of the Union in September. "You could be a fine arts student and also be class president. You could be homecoming queen and be the head of the science club. You could be a member of a sorority and be in student government and want to go to law school, and it encouraged you to be your full self."
Harris is a firm believer that race and gender do not determine your status or any prospects for your life. She not only preached, but exacted that gospel in her life. From senator, to Vice President, this has truly been a motivating experience. Americans stand poised for the fulfillment of Biden’s promises.