-
Kamala Laughs, A Black Woman Soars, Pluralism Restored
In this space a few months ago I asked, “Why don’t more women’s voices soar and le ad?” Today I ask you why can’t a Black woman soar and lead (us)? America, why wouldn’t “We the People” elect an African American woman President of the United States of America?
Our turbulent and fractured times are crying out for that beacon of hope that Ronald Reagan spoke of, “America is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.” He continues describing this place “God-blessed and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace.” That is pluralism—living side by side with our neighbors with whom we may disagree while supporting our neighbor’s right to free speech, to bear arms, to bodily autonomy and freedom to worship.
Hearing the news this past Saturday of Mr. Biden stepping aside my excitement grew. I ordered a Kamala Harris 2024 t-shirt for my teenage daughter and myself. A few short moments later, with a tear in my eye I called her and told her that in a few short months she would be able to cast her very first vote for President of these United States; my 18-year-old daughter voting in her first presidential election would be able to cast her vote for a woman, an African American woman. A historic vote that would alter our country’s trajectory and matter to our youth. This would matter to our youth because the number of septuagenarians in our body politic seems unrepresentative to our youth. The lack of diversity further supports their feeling of disconnectedness. The lack of civil discourse sets a horrific example for our young adults. The dearth of adults doing the right thing in the public sphere has distorted our views on morality, decency, truthfulness and kindness in our society. Joseph Robinette Biden, an American Patriot in his final public function as leader made this moment possible–this selfless thing. He relinquished power doing something unimaginable to a large part of our population, the Republican Party. “He joins a small but honorable fraternity of men who, for various reasons, declined to seek reelection. This club was founded by George Washington, whose refusal to stand for the presidency again in 1796 was particularly important, because he was walking away from a virtually guaranteed victory.”—wrote Tom Nichols for The Atlantic magazine.
This act stands in stark contrast to the Republican party that continues to this day to dispute the 2020 election results despite the lack of evidence. Daily this party is complicit in a lie to millions of Americans that denigrates our sacred norm—the peaceful transfer of power. The Republican Party’s nominee pursued illegal and extralegal means to cling to power while President Joe Biden stepped forth with an act for the ages. Bakari Sellers in a recent podcast described feelings of amazement that any man would relinquish power saying” When was the last time a white man gave up power, let alone to a woman and a Black woman at that?” Joe Biden did that, giving up power for something greater than himself.