A couple of weeks ago Joe Biden was finally sworn in and became the 46th President of the United States and a sense of relief washed over much of the US. Tensions that have kept us up at night over the past 4 years were released and for many, there is hope of healing in the next four years that will cancel out the nightmare of the previous one. Every part of the nation's expanding population is asking for something different from President Biden, the question is - can he deliver?

All across the US (and beyond) the question lingers in the back of every American’s mind differently. There is much work to be done, but a month in the president has made it clear that he is committed to stepping firmly out of the shadow of his predecessor. But the 45th president ignited extremists that this nation has not had to confront with such gaping self-examination, and they remain a prominent part of the US’ future. 

Moreover, the pandemic continues to cast a cloud of worry over much of the population. Zahra, a Muslim-American woman, expressed her hopes and fears saying:

“I am most optimistic about how the pandemic will be handled under the Biden administration. Trump did a terrible job of ensuring nationwide protocol when dealing with COVID-19 & I am very hopeful that Biden and the COVID-19 task force are going to try their best to make sure the vaccine is accessible and take whatever precautionary measures are necessary in order to flatten the curve. I’m afraid that racial tensions may stay the same. Trump has mobilized and energized violent racists to the forefront. And they are very much comfortable with what they stand for and that genuinely scares and concerns me.”

But racial division and COVID-19 response are inextricably intertwined, no matter how we view the future of this pandemic or this country we must consider all the niches of inequity that exist. Ece, a Turkish-American currently pursuing a dual degree at Sciences Po and Colombia Universities, expanded on this, commenting:

“With Biden already signing to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and plans to lift the Muslim-majority travel ban, I’m optimistic to mostly to see the undoing of Trump’s discriminatory and ignorant presidency. Though, I’m quite skeptical of the Biden administration in accomplishing the radical change we need to see now in the US, ranging from massive housing to educational reform. If the outbreak of COVID-19 proved anything, it was that the US reeks of inequalities, most of which have only escalated. I’m afraid that unless the consequences and the continuance of racist and discriminatory practices are acknowledged and confronted, the change we need to see as a fairer and more society will not occur. It’s a matter of admitting that this system does not work, and one of creating a new order that reorients the decision-making towards its citizens and away from waging countless wars in the Middle East fueling a military-industrial complex and prioritizing the demands of corporations all in the name for profit.” 

Looking out at the state of US politics as President Biden takes over doesn’t inspire much confidence. Many feel that this is a return to the regular state of affairs where scandals are swept under the rug and not blurted out on Twitter. That the next 4 years will see merely incremental change. Blythe, a student of Community Organization from Tennessee echoes this less than optimistic sentiment saying: 

“I feel like our country’s administration just changed from a dumpster fire to a regular trash can that ultimately still resides in the landfill of American politics...so my relief is high but my optimism for the Biden administration is low. The light from the dumpster fire did illuminate a lot of cracks in our system, and I’ve started to see people really demanding that their politicians work to fix those. I hope that the Biden administration is able to create “radical” policy that will serve the people of our country. But I fear and expect that this administration will create solutions that don’t dig deep enough to get to the root of the problems. That they, for instance, will work with BLM leaders and activists to create really progressive policy, but will fail to dismantle the prison and military industrial complex in a way that would prevent all their work from being easily undone. I hope I’m surprised though.”

For the youth who have been so catastrophically introduced to political life in the past 4 years, the inauguration meant rest - for a brief moment. Sulan, an IB student and Jamaican-American speaks to much of what many young people are feeling saying:

“I must admit that when Biden was voted in I felt a rush of relief. After four years, I could let go of the breath I was holding in and open my eyes; the nightmare is over. Now that he and VP Harris have been sworn in, I’ve had more time to reset my expectations of this administration to a realistic level. I think most of their efforts will likely be to correct much of the damage that Trump has done in his time as president, like improving upon immigration policies, reversing the Muslim ban and re-entering the Paris Climate Agreement. Additionally, I think Biden will help to get the country closer to recovering from the pandemic. However, I doubt there will be much progress with issues that were prominent during Obama’s administration, like defunding local and federal law enforcement and refocusing the national budget on education and social services. I definitely expect this presidential term to be less eventful than the last, but I hope that other young people share the realization of how important it is to pay attention to the actions of our leaders and demand change when they have failed us.”

Immigrant communities were made particularly vulnerable under the Trump presidency and continue to wait in the wings as the administration plans to wrestle with the growing racial tensions and the ever-changing nature of the pandemic. 

Angie reflects upon her position being the daughter of Mexican (im)migrants as Biden takes the reigns of US foreign policy. “As a first-generation student and daughter of Mexican (im)migrants, I am most excited about seeing the possibilities of immigration policy changes under Biden. After years of turmoil and discrimination against (im)migrants, I hope to see a change for my undocumented family members and close friends to have a chance in obtaining a green card and/or citizenship. However, I fear that no policies will change, and yet another failed promise will eradicate all hope for the futures of my loved ones in this country.” 

At the same time, the Biden administration is working in coordination with the most diverse US congress in history. From the House of Representatives to the Senate, and all the way to the White House there has never been this much representation of the US’ most historically underrepresented identities. This hits home for many, but for Black women especially. Vice President Harris exists at the intersection of many identities that have been not only controversial but constricting. Having the daughter of Asian and Caribbean immigrants ascend to the second highest office definitely resonates with Dr Joseph, a Haitian American historian. As she reflected on the incoming administration saying:

“I am most optimistic about Black women continuing to lead coalitions to push for policy change under the Biden administration. Such change includes addressing the unjust judicial system and the wealth gap.I know that white supremacy is not going away in the next 4 years and neither is capitalism, a system built on oppression of the masses for the gains of the few. But I believe the people doing the work to see that radical shift happen.”

The next 4 years might not see the radical change that I and many others are awaiting, but as we move forward in optimism we cannot forget how the Trump presidency enlightened us to the dark underbelly of US politics. Beyond conspiracy and falsehoods, complicity is the poison that has kept this nation sick for centuries. Whether it is the pandemic that continues to guide our lives or the racism that has gone unspoken for years - the way forward is rooted in accountability. 

The Biden administration, the House of Representatives, the Senate, every facet of local and national politics  must be held accountable on every issue, so find what really matters to you and hold them to their promises. Victory should not lead to complacency.

Hayley is an emerging writer and journalist who works hard to create work that is fiercely feminist, anti racist and anti oppression on a whole. You can check out more of her work and content on her instagram @hayley.headley