Amanda and Bernie

January 2021 brought in many events that are historical and epic. I can only imagine how life is going to be like in the coming months. One of the events that made I followed through from last year, other than the developments of a vaccine on COVID-19, is the US Presidential elections. The highlight for me is the inauguration. I always look forward to the poetry reading at every presidential inauguration.

Needless to say, Amanda Gorman is my favorite -- so far.

Her poem is beautiful. Powerful yet, simple. It was accessible. Though she was speaking from her own history and experience, her poetry crossed boundaries. It was what we need today in this age of the great divide.

And then, there was Bernie Sanders.

If Gorman's performance was edifying, Sanders' demeanor and no-nonsense appearance at the inauguration promoted egalitarianism. That photo that went viral spawned millions of memes that earned revenues to the school teacher who made his mittens as well as a much needed PR booster for the Democrats.

America is still divided. We are still grappling with a clueless government as to how the vaccines are to be rolled out. Amanda and Bernie provided many of us with hope and the humor to survive in these pandemic times.