I just watched the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, the 46^th President of the United States. It was a dignified, peaceful ceremony—unusual in that the current pandemic limited attendance. I thought the new president took the right tone in his inaugural address, as he struck a chord of unity. “I will be president for all Americans,” Mr. Biden proclaimed. In 2021, that is exactly the president America needs.

We live in very divisive times, and the divisiveness didn’t start in 2016. It feels like we’ve been headed in this direction since about 2004, when the sting of 9-11 was wearing off, and the Iraq war wasn’t going so great. The recent US Capitol riot was despicable, horrible, sad, and tragic and felt like the divisiveness was reaching its peak. That event will leave a permanent black mark on US history. 

“We need to end this uncivil war,” as President Biden appropriately remarked in his address. We’re not going to resolve the divisiveness by retreating into our various tribes of like minds. Healing our great divide will take serious people from both sides of the aisle coming together for a common purpose. That purpose is the advancement of liberty, equality, and the values upon which this nation was founded. 

Who will step up?