I WAS in tears watching the inauguration of the 46th US President. The words and sight of President Joseph Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris, and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman were so inspirational. I was profoundly moved.

For a moment I felt like an American patriot. Pride became remorse when I then thought of our sad socio-ethno-politico construct. My tears were more for my country, my home.

One of the themes in the 21-minute speech by President Biden was unity. “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservatives versus liberal”, he said, addressing the nation where racism has been a bane for its beacon of democracy.

Historically, from the slavery yesteryears, to the savages of the Ku Klux Klan, the derogatory “nigger” term, to modern days injustices against the blacks culminating in the death of George Floyd while in police custody that drove Black Lives Matter mass protests; African-Americans have by and large been intimidated and treated as second-class citizens.

Politicians, including presidents, have done little to seriously condemn racism. Worse, many exploited or tacitly approved of it to secure their vote banks.

Biden’s strong condemnation and his promise to stem racism brought a welcomed reckoning. At one point in his inaugural address, he criticised those who fomented white supremacy.        

During the swearing in of White House staffers, Biden reiterated his commitment to curb racism, saying, “Everyone, every single person, regardless of their background, is entitled to be treated with dignity. I expect you to do that for all the folks you deal with”.

This is how a true statesman and leader should conduct himself – an unequivocal commitment and a clear directive to his subordinates.

In contrast, how many of our nation’s prime ministers have ever declared war on racism in a national broadcast, to condemn calls for “Ketuanan Melayu” (Malay supremacy), and that all citizens irrespective of ethnicity or religion must be treated with dignity and respect? None.

Rhetorical speeches during political campaigns to the effect do not count.

Fomenting racial distrust and hatred has been and still is an art a party exploits to stay in power. Decades of disinformation and mental conditioning have made permanent enemies of political opponents, and bastardise a minority ethnic group as unwanted and unwelcomed.

Only in the recent past has war cry like “bathe this kris with Chinese blood” been an effective means to help climb the political ladder. Seditious tones such as this, and many more, went with impunity.

How many of our prime ministers have ever made a public commitment that they were prime minister for all ethnic groups, for all Malaysians when they win office? None. In fact, funds for opposition and state rules by the opposition had been cut.

President Biden said he would “be a president for all Americans”. He pledged, “I promise you I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did”.

Has any of our prime ministers said anything to that effect when they came to office, or at any other time? None.  

To many of our political leaders, LGBT individuals are considered outcast and unworthy of respect, only to be treated worse than dirt in the gutter.

Never mind that these politicians do not even understand the nature of the phenomenon is genomic and has nothing to do with personal choice or gender association through childhood.

The sight of Vice-President Kamala Harris taking the oath of office sends sparks of hope and the power of dream for one to soar in career goals, and that nothing is impossible.

What a contrast as here in our country there are politicians who publicly demanded that minority races are not entitled to hold important offices, and received no admonishment from their top leaders.

US National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s recital of her The Hill We Climb poem was simply phenomenal, inspirational and most appropriate at a time where healing is necessary after years of divisive politicking, racial discord and the un-civil war.

Every cell and all the secreting pheromones from my body were mesmerised by her words. Her wisdom-filled words portray a summary of continuous human struggle for freedom and social justice; about hope, destiny and unity; and that no matter how challenging an obstacle, it can be conquered together if we open our arms to each other.

Here is a portion, among the many parts in the superbly written poem, that has bearing to our local context.

“And so we lift our gaze not to what stands between us

but what stands before us

We close the divide because we know to put our future first

We must first put our differences aside

We lay down our arms

So we can reach out our arms

To one another”.     

In reference to President Abraham Lincoln’s January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, who said: “If my name ever goes down in history, it’ll be for this act and my whole soul is in it”, President Biden declared in his inauguration address, “My whole soul is in it. Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this – bringing America together, uniting our people, uniting our nation”.

Such commitment and conviction by Biden touched the core of my soul. My eyes moisten. Reminiscing, I cry for my beloved Malaysia. – January 28, 2021.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.