Firing Line: Mary Frances Berry & Doug Brinkley

Professor Mary Frances Berry and Professor Doug Brinkley discuss the new Biden Administration and the disunity within America.

Brinkley spoke about the effects of President Joe Biden’s inaugural speech. Although he does not believe it will be as memorable as Lincoln’s or Kennedy’s speeches, it will have an impact on people.

“I think it is going to be seen as very important because he did talk about the disunity and disfunction in the United States.”

Biden has helped combat this division by bringing up America’s past heroic deeds. This can help reunify the country.

He says that President Biden will face major hurdles. The federal government has been demonized and seen as a swamp that must be drained. Biden needs to change its image if he wishes to bring unity. This can help America defeat the COVID-19 crisis.

“He has to draw upon the notion that the federal government is the friend of everybody in America.”

Berry spoke about the importance of Justice Sonia Sotomayor and how she administered the oath to Vice President Kamala Harris. She said that having two African American women in positions of power within the federal government will help to inspire people.

“You cannot beat that for inspiring people – making people feel that change has come,” she said.

Berry spoke on the topic of how the nation is as divided as it was during the Civil War. Biden’s call for unity is very important, but she admits that there are still problems.

“Its also true that there are some deep, seated fishers in our country on major issues like race and law-enforcement”

People must put pressure on the government in order to make social changes. All civil rights in America have been born from people demanding change.

Professor Barry is a historian and author who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania.

Professor Brinkley is a historian, author, and commentator who teaches at Wright State University.