President Joe Biden has proven a larger dedication to range, fairness, and inclusion in just a few quick weeks than maybe any president earlier than him. It might look like a provocative or exaggerated assertion, however the truth is, no president has ever centered a lot of their Day One agenda, in coverage and apply, at each stage on addressing the deepest inequities in our society. Indeed, if Biden continues on this trajectory, his might be one in every of the most consequential presidencies in American historical past.
Even earlier than taking workplace, Biden centered gender and racial fairness in his most consequential selections, nominating Kamala Harris as the first Black, Indian feminine vp and choosing the most various group of nominees for the presidential cupboard in American historical past. That alone would possibly safe his place amongst the most vital presidencies. But with nearly all of his first confirmed nominees historical past was additionally made – Avril Haines as the first woman Director of National Intelligence, Lloyd Austin as the first black Secretary of Defense, and Janet Yellen as the first woman to lead the Treasury. Many extra designees will equally break extraordinary floor as soon as confirmed: Deb Haaland, the first Native particular person to serve in a cabinet, Pete Buttigieg as the first overtly homosexual cupboard secretary, simply to call just a few. And it’s not simply at the cupboard stage. Throughout his administration extra girls and underrepresented minorities are getting appointed, surpassing earlier administrations in sheer illustration. Biden is remodeling the management of the total federal authorities and sending a transparent message to America and the world that underneath his management, all Americans might be lastly be represented.
In his appointments, Biden tackles a few of our longest-standing injustices. Native communities have by no means had an actual voice in the federal authorities, girls have been vastly underrepresented, folks of coloration have by no means held lots of our nation’s most vital management roles, and LGBT folks do not need the full and equal rights different Americans get pleasure from. Biden understands how vital illustration is to the Americans who elected him, but in addition to conducting his exceptionally tough and sophisticated agenda. The various voices in the cupboard and federal management carry vital views which were excluded from public coverage for too lengthy. With this various group, the president will hear views on American life which have by no means been central to concerns of coverage and apply. He additionally, importantly, reveals White male leaders in all places the right way to use their positions of energy and privilege to learn others. It’s a grasp class on breaking White supremacy led by a White man. Let’s hope CEOs, world leaders, and White males in all places observe that instance.
As consequential as this all is, in simply two weeks the president has additionally centered fairness in almost each govt order. He instantly repealed Trump-era insurance policies that sought to implement White supremacy; throwing out the horrific 1776 Commission report, reversing the Muslim journey ban, reversing the ban on transgender folks serving in the navy, and reversing the Trump-era ban on range coaching for federal contractors. But past repealing damaging and racist Trump insurance policies, he’s already making good on commitments to advance racial justice in new and vital methods. He has ordered all government agencies to middle their insurance policies on fairness. He ended the use of personal contractors to handle federal prisons and signed orders centered on addressing housing discrimination and discrimination in opposition to Asian Americans linked to the COVID-19 disaster. His total COVID-19 response is rooted in well being fairness. His financial and environmental insurance policies are pointed towards a extra inclusive restoration. The checklist goes on and on.
In a Tweet on January 26, Biden wrote, “The fact is systemic racism touches every facet of American life, and everyone – no matter your race or ethnicity- benefits when we build a more equitable America.” Indeed.
Presidents, each Democrat and Republican have definitely made selections and selections that moved our nation nearer to the full realization of its’ beliefs. From Abraham Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, to Lyndon Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Acts in 1965, and extra just lately after all the history-making presidency of Barack Obama and his appointments and coverage, many presidents have labored tirelessly to kind a authorities of the folks, by the folks, and for the folks. Bill Clinton was the first to make a girl press secretary (DeeDee Myers) and George W. Bush appointed each the first Black male (Colin Powell) and Black feminine Secretaries of State (Condolezza Rice). Many extra examples abound. But what makes Biden’s nescient presidency so vital is the centrality of range and inclusion to his each motion. It’s the totality of his work in so quick a time that astonishes. We can’t understand how consequential to historical past his actions might be, and finally his means to go sturdy legislative reform might be much more vital. Passing complete immigration reform, police reform, paid household depart and federal LBGT protections are crucial for lasting change.
The Trump presidency was a protracted conflict in opposition to a diversifying America. He amplified misogyny and racism in countless appalling methods, from the first day of his presidency to his final. But at a time when Most Americans say they view range as “very good for the country,” Biden is doing extra than simply righting the many wrongs of his predecessor. He is working from the first day to destroy the racist insurance policies that maintain us all again and is constructing towards a imaginative and prescient of a greater America. One the place all individuals are not simply created equal, however handled as such. It’s about time.
