In his inaugural address on Jan. 20, President Joe Biden stressed the importance of uniting the country. “History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity. We can see each other, not as adversaries, but as neighbors,” President Biden said.

Biden seems to want a nation where American disagreement is calm and citizens are united in wanting what is best for the country. This is an idealistic view. Different groups of citizens’ wishes for the future of the United States are so different that this unification for the good of the country that Biden talks about is unattainable.`

More than 74 million Americans voted for Donald Trump, who spread bigotry and misogyny during his time in office and before. President Biden should not expect the people harmed by Trump to view those who supported him in an understanding way. It is an unreasonable and undesirable expectation. People who cause harm should not be let back into the process of “healing.” 

“Together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear, of unity, not division, of light, not darkness, a story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness,” President Biden said. Biden’s focus of getting everyone to love each other is distracting. Instead, he should focus on policy and action. Unity is not a solution.