“Unity is the path forward”
The Presidential Inauguration on January 20th brought with it an upheaval of emotions. Hired's Committee on Racial Equity (CORE) wanted to share personal reactions to the day, to unite our thoughts and feelings with each other to celebrate this occasion and what it means for us personally and the communities we serve.
We turn a page to a new chapter in our nation’s history. Decency, compassion and some normalcy restored. It’s a day of relief but also a step forward to restoring.
— Cynthia Wilson
I was struck that young children will never know a world where a woman couldn’t be Vice President. A woman who looks like them, their best friend, or their mother. It reaffirmed my conviction that representation matters. I am excited to be witness to how the future will be shaped by the presence of Vice President Harris.
— Roxanne Luedtke
The Inauguration reminded me of the continual tension between the need to recognize the progress we’ve made and the need to acknowledge the work we have before us… and there’s a lot of work. But when Jennifer Lopez delivered the last lines of the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, I felt the power and promise of a country that belongs to all of us.
— Aidyn Hillyard
This was my first time watching a full inauguration, and what a momentous occasion it was. It felt reassuring to know the nightmare was ending and change could finally take place. It doesn’t mean we can forget the last four years, but I'm hopeful we can finally begin to take a breath, tend to our wounds, and move forward with renewed certainty.
— Cassie Turczyn
I was overwhelmed by many emotions, but primarily hope and sorrow. Hope that we would be able to end this chapter and move forward for more than just a moment. But also sorrow for all the lives we have lost not only to the virus, but to all the racial inequity in our many systems and the hate crimes our BIPOC communities had suffered. We must all be active players in creating change, in creating diversity, equity, and inclusion. Today I will enjoy this sense of safety and relief that I have not felt in four years. Tomorrow I will continue to do my part in dismantling systemic racism.
— Anabel Chavez
9:00 a.m. watched as families entered the capitol. 10:15 a.m. watched as former presidents and vice presidents descended from the halls to the inaugural platform. All day, received texts and calls from friends and family “Did you see?!”, “Can you believe?!”, “I am so relieved!!” 7:00 p.m. High five with my bestie!! 11:00 p.m. the emotions swelled up inside, just in time to let it out and cry… never have I felt so much love, hope and pride.
— Reubenna Cooley
For me it was the most intimate and historical Inaugurations I have watched. Although happy and hopeful tears rolled down, the element of surprise was Amanda Gorman. My thought: “never under estimate the power of our youth!” All of her words I held onto...these stood out:
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true
That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
I can choose to be the light!
— Kelley Eubanks
Watching the inauguration brought a sigh of relief to the start of 2021, a new long-awaited beginning with a sense of finally coming back together when so much has felt as if it were falling apart. What stood out to me the most was seeing and listening to so many impactful, powerful, and inspiring women leading and bringing a sense of hope in restoring our country.
— Andrea Peterson
This week does not mark a beginning nor an end, but a continuation of a battle that we must all fight together: to end white supremacy, dismantle systemic racism, and eliminate barriers for our communities. As first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, so eloquently recited:
When day comes, we step out of the shade of flame and unafraid.
The new dawn balloons as we free it.
For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it.
If only we're brave enough to be it.