A Letter to my Daughter, on this Most Historic Day: Kamala Harris, a Woman of Color is Madam Vice President!
Today, was the Inagurration of the 46th president of the United States. While that’s significant, it’s not usually earth-shattering in my world.
But this time it’s different. This time there’s hope on the horizon.
“We see the first woman in American history elected to the national office, Vice President Kamala Harris. Don’t tell me things can’t change.”
- President Joe Biden
For one, we are stepping out of the fog that was the 45th President, full of decisive language and rhetoric that created dangerous factions of unrest.
It was a constant test of just doing the next right thing- just like Anna says.
It’s wasn’t always easy. In fact, it sometimes took a source of strength I don’t think most of are capable of exerting, so we feel into the norm of combative discourse.
The constant arguing and fighting was incessant. Maybe that word is too big but it was just constant.
But do you know what today means?
Today means that darkness has not won, it has not stayed. We proved we are capable of falling and getting back up.
It’s possible.
But do you know what else happened? A woman, a woman of color, Kamala Harris became the first Madam Vice President in American history! That’s right! It’s possible.
My mother had a saying: Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last.
Madam Vice President Kamala Harris
She’s not the first to run but she’s the first to make it! That means there’s possibility for change. And that is beautiful.
This means that forevermore women, girls and everyone in between will recognize that it is possible to reach the second highest office and soon, maybe even surpass it.
I don’t know what your future holds, Kamala Harris, but I thank you for your example.
Because guess what my love?
Representation matters and when you, my beautiful China Latina can see another woman, a woman of color in an office where we weren’t welcome before. It gives us hope that we can get there again.
She’s opening the window so we can walk through the door.
Your Baba says that every major change in humanity is built upon the ashes of those that came before, he’s a bit of a philosopher that one, but I hope it’s a bit faster than that. Change is never easy and most of us resist it, but when we get to the other side- oh the possibilities!
These words by Amanda Gorman:
"We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it,
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed,
It can never be permanently defeated.”
Love your mother,
Jessy Santana
Originally published at http://oppositebutthesame.com on January 21, 2021.
