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Whenever the United States elects a new president, it’s a fresh start for the country. At Wednesday’s inauguration, the sense of new beginnings was even more pronounced. 

Kamala Harris took the oath as vice president as the first woman and first woman of color elected to the national office. She steps into her role at a time of heightened calls for racial justice but also increased public displays of white supremacy. 

A week after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, President Joe Biden started off his inaugural speech saying the day was not about 

.  He called on Americans to unite and face a cascade of challenges — a deadly virus, an economic slump, climate crisis and deep division. 

He talked about the need to disagree without resorting to violence and he called on everyone to help repair, restore and heal the country. His vision was echoed in the verses written for the occasion and recited by youth poet laureate 

Host Angela Davis talked with two community leaders and listeners about the inauguration and what comes next. 

Use the audio player above to listen to the conversation.

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How Minnesotans are feeling after the inauguration

Like I was four years ago, I’m cautiously optimistic for what we’ve got coming. I was frankly, fairly disappointed. … I was neither a [Hillary] Clinton voter or a [Donald] Trump voter four years ago, and I was not a Biden voter or a Trump voter this time. But I’m cautiously optimistic because I felt like yesterday’s address didn’t necessarily pose any wedges between two sides. I hope both sides will try and adhere to trying to work together even if they’re not necessarily in full agreement.

I am so pleased to have a new president and vice president and I have been worried about our country for a long time. I fought for our country in Vietnam, and I am sick of people hating each other and using meaningless reasons like skin color, gender or religion or any of those such things. So I want to reach out. But I don’t know how to do that. 

Optimistic, hopeful and relieved the last four years are over. We now have a president that will work for all of us. There aren’t real Americans — and fake Americans. There may be traditionalists and futurists but we all belong. We are a country that began to start anew and we will keep doing that over and over.

A lot of young people, like myself (I'm 23) have really not felt patriotic in the face of economic injustice, racial inequality, and a lack of concern for climate change, and a general lack of empathy. But yesterday, the message of empathetic change really struck a chord with me and I found myself feeling proud of what America could be.

I thought the POTUS speech was excellent and listening to the press briefing was a breath of fresh air without the combativeness of the Trump era. I'm optimistic about the next four years but also mourning what we lost during the previous.

The last four years have been exhausting, and the body definitely keeps a score. Last morning something that really stuck out was J. Lo’s performance where she spoke Spanish. I am a Latinx woman, and a first-generation college student. I think it was just really moving to see representation in our nation’s biggest event and I’m just really hopeful for the future right now.

100 percent, I’m just so proud of our country. I live in a town where it’s mostly Trump supports, so I feel kind of alienated as a lifelong Democrats. But I’m just so happy, first of all for President Biden, and also for Kamala Harris. She’s such an inspiration to many young girls.

It was a great day for American, and it was a shot in the arm when we really needed a shot in the arm. I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to come to the table and have the conversations we haven’t had for a very long time.

How are you feeling after the inauguration? Share your thoughts with us

Share your thoughts with Angela Davis here.

Correction (Jan. 21, 2021): A previous version of this post misidentified the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, and has been updated.

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A new administration takes charge amid economic troubles, a deadly virus and deep divisions. Host Angela Davis talked with two community leaders and listeners about the inauguration and what comes next. 

MPR News with Angela Davis - A new administration takes charge amid economic troubles, a deadly virus and deep divisions. Angela Davis talks with Macalester College President Suzanne Rivera and the Rev. Elijah McDavid of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis about what a fresh start means for all of us. 

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