Page 7 - Pakistan Link - January 29, 2020

OPINION JANUARY 29, 2021 – PAKISTAN LINK – P7

n By Dr Syed Amir America, Dawn of a New Day years ago. It was a surreal scene. The Capitol

Bethesda, MD was last invaded more than two centuries
ago, August 1814, when British troops led
hen Joseph Biden was sworn in by General Robert Ross destroyed the city’s
on January 20, 2020, as the 46th public buildings, including the Capitol and
Wpresident of the United States, the White House. This writer was watching

a sense of quiet relief and serenity de- on the TV only a short distance away from

scended on Washington DC. The nation, the scene, while millions watched in horror
and indeed the whole world, from around the world on live TV as the
drew a sigh of relief that a events were unfolding. The country held

peaceful transfer of power its collective breath as it was uncertain that
had taken place, and an American democracy would survive this in-
unbroken tradition of two vasion by barbarian hordes.
and a quarter century had How could American democracy, por-

held, one first set when John trayed by President Reagan as “the shining
Adams succeeded George Washington city on the hill” and an inspiration to the
on March 4, 1797 as the nation’s second whole world, come so close to extinction?
president. The question will haunt political histori-

Unlike Donald Trump, Washington, ans for a long time. We know that Ameri-
exhausted and in failing health, could not can society has been polarized along racial

wait to free himself of the shackles of the and ethnic lines for a while. This country
office. Four years later, John Adams lost a has been experiencing a period of turmoil

bitterly contested election to Thomas Jeffer- unlike any it has seen in over a century and

son; yet a peaceful, orderly transfer of power half, since the dark days of the Civil War
followed. (1861-1865). The four years of the Trump

The inauguration day, a bitterly cold presidency have singularly widened the gulf
but sunny, started with much trepidation, and exacerbated the problem. His policies
filled with an air of uncertainty. How peace- over, it was time for the traditional military ghanistan combined. The city had under- encouraged the white-racist elements in so-

ful would the transfer of power be? It would parade. However, there were no usual ador- gone a traumatic experience only two weeks ciety and his signature slogan, Make Amer-
be the 59th times a US president took the ing crowds lining the parade route along the before on January 6. A mob, comprising ica Great Again, was perceived by many as
oath of office. Donald Trump left the White Pennsylvania Avenue, just a small number a disparate assortment of white suprema- Make America White Again.

House in the morning for the Andrews Air of hand-picked dignitaries applauding the cists, anti-semitic neo-Nazis, believers in The former president, Donald Trump,

Force Base where he had organized a mini new president and vice president. No one bizarre conspiracy theories – the so-called is now sequestered in his luxurious Mar-a-

parade for himself, topped by a 21- gun had expected that the president and his wife QAnon-supporters – and other riff raff, had Lago retreat in Palm Beach, Florida, but few

salute. He especially relished the perks of would leave the safety of their limousine, stormed the hallowed citadel of US democ- expect him to spend his retirement peace-
presidency, such as the unlimited use of Air but they did and walked along a short dis- racy. It was the last desperate attempt by the fully playing golf. Nonetheless, the turmoil
Force One, which he was determined to use tance to the White House. Unlike previous defeated president to overturn the results of past few months has shown that democra-

one last time. The night before, misusing his occasions, members of Congress were not of a fair election. They marched towards cy even in developed Western countries is a
authority as president, Trump had pardoned feted at the Capitol at lunch, because of fears the Capitol and finding little resistance, fragile institution that needs to be constant-

over hundred criminals, mostly his cronies. of the corona virus, nor were there any Eu- breached the barriers and rampaged along ly protected and nurtured. Donald Trump’s
The transition day was much different ropean-style formal galas going late into the its elegant corridors and long majestic halls. ultimate downfall should be a lesson to all

than what we had been used to over the night. However, one tradition did hold, the Their objective was to force the Congress to authoritarian rulers around the world, such
years. The nation’s stately capital looked Washington sky was lit up late in the eve- overturn Biden’s victory in favor of Trump. as Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India

like a ghost town, except for the ubiquitous ning with a beautiful display of fireworks. The ill-prepared and ill-equipped Capi- and Viktor Orbán of Hungary, whose power

presence of military and police vehicles and The days after the inauguration were tol police were no match for thousands of and influence are rooted in their promotion

personnel. An unprecedented feature of the starkly different from the weeks before, angry, violent insurgents and were quickly of a divisive ideology. Such power and influ-

ceremony was that a woman, black and of when the capital city looked like a town un- overwhelmed. ence do not endure, as magic spells based
South Asian heritage, Kamala Harris, was der siege. Many roads and all access to the The rioters were in control of the Capi- on untruths have short life span.

sworn in by a Latina judge, Justice Sonia White House and the US Capitol, the seat tol building for hours, roaming and ransack-
Sotomayor. President Biden delivered a stir- of the legislative branch, had been blocked ing at will. Some were carrying battle flags (The writer is a former assistant profes-

ring speech, crafted by his Indian American and most shops boarded up. There were of the Confederacy of the Southern States sor, Harvard Medical School and a retired
speechwriter, Cholleti Vinay Reddy. more National Guard troops in the city than that had mounted a rebellion against the health scientist administrator, US National
Once the inauguration festivities were soldiers currently deployed in Iraq and Af- Federal Government to preserve slavery 150 Institutes of Health)
n By Iman Awad Yes, President Biden Overturned the Muslim Ban doesn’t mean that we are protected from the
ne of the first things President Joe xenophobic rot that festered at the core of his

efforts. Remember, 74 million people did vote

Biden did after the inauguration on Day 1, But We’re Still Left with Islamophobia for the man.
Owas sign an executive action repeal- And here’s the thing: Muslim American
ing the Muslim, refugee, asylum, and Afri- communities are incredibly diverse and inter-

can Ban. The move was a long time in the sectional. We’re comprised of Black commu-
making—he had actually first committed nities, Latinx communities, undocumented

to this back in July, at the Million Muslim communities, and low-income communities.
Votes Summit (hosted by Emgage Action, Because of that, criminal justice reform, equal
a Muslim advocacy organization) where I access to healthcare and education, rights for
serve as deputy director), during which he indigenous and undocumented communities,
addressed Muslim American communities human rights for communities abroad—these
for the first time. are all “Muslim issues” that the Biden-Harris

By making this promise to Muslim administration needs to tackle next.
American communities, Biden set an impor- I’m grateful Biden prioritized the Muslim
tant precedent for American politicians: our community during his first day in office, but

community must be engaged, our votes must his administration must continue to fight for a
be earned, and proper attention must be given more just and equitable society for all minor-
to policy issues affecting us. After he fulfilled ity communities. That executive action was a

his commitment, I alongside countless other good first step. Now, let’s get to work. - Cos-

activists who have so tirelessly advocated for mopolitan
an end to this gross violation of human rights,
celebrate this victory.
But the fight is not over yet. CHEATING FROM P11

The Muslim Ban has caused irreparable act such a ban. (I can attest to the miles spent be eradicated with an executive order. It will internet and Google have made this clear as

harm to Muslim communities domestically pacing the halls of Congress for meetings— indisputably leave a dark legacy that will take never before. Every student today has good
and abroad. It has separated families and in- and would like to take a moment to remember grades but only a few actually learn while in
stitutionalized Islamophobia. Furthermore, my favorite boots that were forever destroyed. Muslim sentiment, racism, college or university.
when enacted, there was no clear transparency Totally worth it.) Now we need the Senate to Although our student body is hyper reli-

on why visas were being denied, nor was there pass this Act, too. and trauma inflicted gious and regular in prayer, almost all are per-
a pathway to contest these denials. Instead of We also need a comprehensive assess- upon families cannot be fectly comfortable with cheating. But online
providing guidance to such an ambiguous and ment of families who have been afflicted by testing cannot work unless cheating is viewed

bigoted policy, the previous administration the ban and to grant visas to those that were eradicated with an executive for what it is — a white-collar crime. Students
double-downed in 2020, expanding the ban. unjustly denied. Legislation requiring addi- willing to experiment, question, model, and

Even though Biden’s recent move was tional oversight and credible facts will be vital order. It will indisputably wrestle with a problem alone can benefit from
monumental, we also need Congressional to ensure that executive powers have neces- leave a dark legacy that will 21st-century online education. The bottom

action to reverse Trump’s regulations. In July sary checks and balances. line: Pakistan’s education system must change

2020, after countless hours of organizing by Beyond legislative action, it’s important to take years to undo direction. It must seek to create a proactive
civil society and advocacy groups, the House note that the true impact of the ban is unquan- mindset and an ethical community.
of Representatives passed the No Ban Act to tifiable: the anti-Muslim sentiment, racism, years to undo. Just because Trump is out of of- (The writer is an Islamabad-based physi-

ensure that no future administration could en- and trauma inflicted upon families cannot fice and his Muslim ban has been overturned cist and writer. Dawn)
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