Writer's Notebook, Day Seven-Hundred-And-Ninety-Six

Tonight, watching Biden speak, I had the feeling that their would again be someone in the role of President, a feeling that I have not had since Trump took office.  While his speech had aspects I was not fully enthused by, it was also clear to me that he is prepared to work in whatever way he can towards building a nation for all of its citizens.  It is still unclear if he understands entirely what that means, from my perspective, and I wish I had a stronger sense that I felt personally reflected and represented by Biden and Harris, as I know many do.  I am glad to see a Kamala Harris rising to Vice President, and it is meaningful for me to see the diversification of our administrative branch, and I also recognize that the cabinet may demonstrate a further commitment to those values in a way that I feel more personally connected to, and would be extremely meaningful to see the inclusion of individuals who are not Christian.  I know that Kamala Harris has a multi-faith lineage, but she identifies herself as a Baptist, and does not seem to have as strong a connection, if any, with her Father's faith.  For me, the issue is that, as a member of a religious minority in this country, I have seen a great deal of hatred and anger over the last several years that was directed at members of my and other faiths, and there was also a clear and direct link between Trump and the Christian right.  I would like to see those wounds being healed through inclusion, in the same way I know many members of minority communities feel the inclusion of a woman of color as the VP is a sign of real action.  While Harris and Biden are quite different, it has also been made clear that Biden is strongly guided by his faith, and aspects of tonight's speech raised that issue in ways that made me feel a bit uncomfortable, considering the efforts to install religious principles and values in our political conversation.  I am afraid even to express this, if I am honest, because I know the hopefulness that has dawned as a result of this victory, and I am relieved and joyous at this turn of events, but it does not change my concern.  So, while I am certain that things are better, I am also a bit ambivalent and still concerned what the future will bring, wondering how the new administration will reflect my values and concerns beyond the basics of not being as clearly evil as the last bunch.

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