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Every four years, our country upholds a tradition in our democracy in what is the peaceful transition of a new commander in chief.
The world watched, as that moment in history was being realized when Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was sworn in last Wednesday as the 46th president of the United States. We recall two weeks prior, the peaceful transition was tested due to people who felt they had the right to undermine the outcome of the election.
No matter who you voted for, we can all agree that it was a great moment in history. Whether you approve it, or deny it, I think that we can agree on the message that President Biden was conveying in his speech.
"Through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge," President Biden said. "The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded," he added. "We've learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed."
The part that stood out to me the most in his speech was his call for unity. That call starts with ending the fighting.
"We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal," Mr. Biden said. "We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts, if we show a little tolerance and humility, and if we're willing to stand in the other person's shoes, as my mom would say, just for a moment."
He is right. After the last four years, with literal fires catching, fighting, pain, death, hate and destruction causing havoc in our country, we now have to decide: what do we want our country to be? That is a question that you must look inside yourself to answer.
Once you figure that out, it is important to have those difficult conversations with your family and friends. Yes they will be uncomfortable, but remember our country was founded because of very uncomfortable moments. Moments we can be proud of, and some we cannot be proud of.
Going back to the call to unity I stand by the concept that there can be no unity without accountability. Our former president tested our democracy through ways that upheld white supremacy and dehumanization. And he will need to be held accountable to that. We see the call of accountability taking place through his second impeachment trial.
There are moments in history that we haven't been taught, and I think it might be important to revisit them. It's history that has been conveniently kept out of our books, but still can be taught. That starts with having the tough conversations, speaking with your representatives, and taking a stand in your community.

As Amanda Gorman said in her inaugural poem
"And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it.
Somehow, we do it.
Somehow, we've weathered and witnessed
A nation that isn't broken, but simply unfinished."

Our nation can redeem itself, and know that there is still a lot of work to do.