Unity, heal wounds and look to the future with hope.
Joe Biden’s first speech as president of the United States followed the line of what was his central campaign message and what has repeated on different occasions since his electoral victory on November 3.
Without forgetting the challenges that are presented, among which he highlighted the serious health and economic crisis due to the coronavirus and the polarizing environment politics that the country is experiencing, Biden offered words of optimism and underlined the strength of the democratic system.
At BBC Mundo we present some of the fundamental ideas.
1. “It’s the day of democracy”
Speaking in front of the same Capitol that was assaulted by a mob of violent followers of former President Donald Trump, Biden began his speech with an acknowledgment of the survival of the democratic system.
“This is the United States day. It is the day of democracy. A day of history and hope ”.
“The United States has been put to the test and has responded to the challenge. Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate but of a cause, the cause of democracy. ”
“ We have learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile and at this time, friends, democracy has prevailed. ”
2. “The forces that divide us are real”
However, the president did not ignore the problems of division facing the country, in a inauguration that his predecessor did not attend, something which hadn’t happened for 150 years.
“I know that talking about Unity may sound like a silly fantasy to some these days. The forces that divide us are deep and real, but they are not new, ”he said.
“Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the ugly and harsh reality that racism, nationalism, fear and demonization have separated us since long time. The battle is perennial and victory is not guaranteed ”, he warned.
3. “The virus has claimed as many lives in a year as the US lost in World War II”
Among the great challenges facing his government, Biden highlighted the pandemic of coronavirus, although he spent more time talking about the rarefied political life in the country.
“Few people in the history of our nation have been more challenged or have found themselves facing a more challenging moment or difficult than the moment in which we are now. A virus not seen in a century that silently haunts the country has claimed as many lives in one year as the United States lost in all of World War II, “he cried.
” Millions of jobs have been lost . Hundreds of thousands of businesses have closed. The cry for racial justice that has been awaited for 400 years moves. The dream of justice for all will no longer be postponed. ”
4. “End this uncivil war”
In one of the most applauded moments of the speech, Biden called the current situation an “uncivil war.”
“We must put an end to this uncivil war that puts reds against blues, the rural world against the urban world, conservatives against progressives, ”he exclaimed.
“We can do it if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts, if we show a little tolerance and humility and if we are willing to put ourselves in the place of the other, as my mother used to say, at least for a moment put yourself in the place of the other, because that is what happens with life, you do not know what destiny has prepared for you. ”
5. “There are truths and lies”
Without explicitly mentioning it, Biden alluded to the doubts that have been cast in recent months about his electoral victory, initiated by Trump himself, who did not acknowledge his defeat and he left power without congratulating his successor.
“The last weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson. There is the truth and there are lies, lies that are told to achieve power and benefits. And each of us has a duty and responsibility as citizens, as Americans, and especially as leaders – leaders who have sworn to honor the Constitution and protect our country – to defend the truth and defeat lies. ”
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