Dear Mr. Biden,
I have an earnest suggestion for you.
Though you have been in office for just a handful of days, given the circumstances and tenor of the moment, I think you should go on a national tour. Leave your very capable cabinet and VP in D.C. to work on policy and legislation, and take — rather than a victory tour — a defeat tour, of sorts. Go to those places NOT where you won, but where you lost. Go to listen. Go to make it clear that you are THEIR president, too, and that you truly care about their fears and concerns.
Millions and millions of Americans believe that you lost — stole — the election. I don’t, but they do. And the politics of outrage, blasted 24/7 through social media, can only make this situation worse. Go in person. Be in the room. Yes, these are dangerous times, both because of COVID-19 and because of the proliferation of guns, paired with an incitement to use them. So take precautions, require mask wearing, use metal detectors, but GO.
I realize that this suggestion will rankle many of my compatriots on the left, who are eager to advance policy and, perhaps, punish the bad behavior of Republicans. They will want you focused on the concerns of those who elected you, and there is so, so much that needs to be done. They will say you are kowtowing to the other side, to THEM. However, I think you are aware that the rift in this country has grown dangerously wide. It needs to be addressed directly. It’s not just going to disappear.
In Restorative Circles (a particular restorative justice practice) the language of victim and perpetrator isn’t used, because — as it turns out — everyone feels like a victim. That’s just how it is, as ridiculous as this often seems, as obvious as it appears to us who the REAL victim is, and who the guilty party. Feelings of grievance abound all around. If we are to deal with what IS, not what we think SHOULD BE, or COULD BE, then this is where we need to start. Where we are.
It’s up to you, President Biden. At this critical and delicate moment in the history of our nation and the world, Democratic control of the Presidency, House, and Senate could end up being just a pendulum swing in one direction, followed by an equal — or even greater — pendulum swing in the other direction in 4 or 8 years. Yet you may have the opportunity here, now, to move things off at an angle, in a different direction. To make deep and lasting change. The disarming affability you are known for could be just what’s needed at this moment. And a Red Counties Tour would be a good start.
Sincerely,
Jo Podvin
