President Trump’s inaugural speech went as I expected: all over the place and extremely dark.
Trump began his speech by declaring that the “golden age of America begins right now.” But various components in his speech already confirm that we will not be in America’s golden age anytime soon.
One of the most glaring and disappointing statements Trump made in his speech was centered around how he wants to end government diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
“This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life,” Trump said. “We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based.”
Trump is blatantly showcasing his lack of intelligence regarding the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in America. Unfortunately, this will not be the last time he flaunts his ignorance surrounding these topics.
If everything in the world were sunshine and rainbows, I would also like to forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based, but that isn’t our reality.
Implementing DEI programs assists in fostering a healthy work environment. Instead of having one demographic in the workplace (whether that be white male, white female, etc.), DEI programs encourage and employ qualified workers of various demographics to help bring a variety of backgrounds and perspectives into the workplace.
Without these DEI programs, employers can discriminate against a group and favor one specific demographic over another.
Trump also attacked the LGBTQIA+ community in his speech.
“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” Trump said.
Everyone has a right to their own opinion. I understand if people subscribe to the idea that there are only two genders, but inserting that statement into an inaugural speech is ridiculous.
America does not need to see our newly inaugurated president spewing hate immediately as he takes office, but that is what he did.
Not only did Trump hate on DEI programs, but he also doubled down on his statement that he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico.
Names have a lot of meaning. So I can almost understand why he wants to change the name, but to me, the action of declaring that he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America directly parallels a toddler throwing a fit over the name of a toy.
Trump also vowed to explore Mars during his presidency.
“We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars,” Trump said.
There is no reason why this comment needed to be in his speech. It felt like a tidbit that could easily have been left out, but maybe he needed to meet a word count.
He talked about inflation, immigration, the overseas wars, and Panama as well.
It all sounded like right-wing buzzwords cut and pasted together to me, but honestly, I expected that.
Trump’s speech was dark and full of negativity. I believe that this speech is telling and shows us how the next four years are going to be, and the American people should brace themselves.
