History beckons US to ASK the 'unasked' and the 'unanswered' questions of Our Time by Sihlangule Siwisa

Dear President Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris

I once met Former President Bill Clinton at 'The Tomorrow Dialogues' in Pretoria (South Africa) in circa 2013. He spoke very profoundly about life, leadership, lessons from his friendship with Former President Nelson Mandela and the work of the Clinton Global Initiative.

When it was time to ask questions, I was tempted to ask him if it was true that when America is getting ready to differ with the rest of the world in a violent way, they appoint a Republican President, which is a suitable face for a villain AND when America is ready to once again extend a hand of friendship to the rest of the world, they then appoint a Democrat as President, which is a suitable face for a friend?

I say I was tempted, because inasmuch as I was sure he could answer eloquently, I was not sure if my potentially abrasive question was in keeping with the spirit of the event.

So, I held my tongue, in order not to offend a visiting Head of State, and instead I asked Prof Njabulo Ndebele a question about writing.

Over the past four years, that 'unasked and unanswered' question has haunted me as the world witnessed the sacred office of the Oval Office being molested by Trump.

But, Trump aside, I think the question begs an answer...

As an African and a Student of History, history has taught me to draw a distinct line between the American people - who are a diverse group of people whose history of the Civil Rights Movement mirrors that of the Struggle against Colonialism and Oppression on my continent - and the American Administration, which is a transient structure made up of whichever team the electoral Victor assembles.

I draw this distinction because there are moments in History where the American people embodied some of the finest hallmarks of a democratic society led by leaders of substance such as President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama who were emblematic of the promise of America being 'The Land of the Free'.

But then again, there are moments in history where the American administration has presided over a country torn apart by racism, inequality, police brutality and religious intolerance AND instead of building bridges, the leader of the administration behaved like an apex predator who fanned the flames of hatred.

Tomorrow, as you lay your hand on the Bible and take your oath of office, history beckons US to ASK the 'unasked and the unanswered' questions of our time.

Is America finally ready to build an administration that champions, articulates and enacts policies and programs both domestically and internationally that reflect the finest qualities of who we are as a diverse human family? Or will the American people succumb to the divisive agenda of the domestic terrorists who were allowed to take the Capitol captive this January without legal consequence?

Is America ready for a world economy where, due to China having a stronger competitive advantage currently, the US is no longer the number one dominant economic empire in the world? Or will the American administration sustain the trade war that Trump started even if it drives the US to a point where it is ready to takes up arms to physically defend its position by violent conquest?

Why are semi-retired billionaires so eager to fund vaccination trials in developing countries using non-FDA approved vaccinations that are clearly labelled 'not for distribution in the US, Canada or the European Union'?

Are we merely fodder for human trials in an effort to cull global population numbers?

When will common sense prevail!?!

Having made history in 2008 and again in 2012, by electing the young Senator from Illinois who swept to victory in the elections on a message of hope that echoed throughout the globe ~ #YesWeCan ~ the whole world watched in awe as President Barack Hussein Obama went about healing the wounds of the past and pointing to a future where education, safety and healthcare were not just reserved for the wealthy and political elite.

Tomorrow, women and young girls from all over the world will see in Vice-President Harris (Mamala), a testimony that the values that Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Former First Lady and Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and many many other advocates of the struggle for gender equality across the globe have stood the test of time.

Now, as President Joe Biden ascends to the throne, we as the rest of the world will be watching what we hope will be more than a beautiful spectacle, but a ceremony that signals the return to the sanctity of the sacredness of what it means to take an Oath of Office.

And in the interest of intellectual honesty - in the face of a resurgent right wing populist threat in America and the world - we, as the Citizens of the World, pledge to never again hold our tongues and remain silent, when there are questions that are unasked that need to be answered.

There is far too much at stake for us to be quiet, when there is a duty to speak.

"Our best lives are fashioned not by piecing together remnants of fantasy with glimpses of past glory, but by knitting the reality of faith with visions of future victory" S.M. Siwisa 20.01.2012

I thank you.

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