The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States brought a ray of hope of unity and healing for many Americans. One of those firm believers is Meralco coach Norman Black.
Black expressed his elation in seeing the Democrat leader Biden finally assume office on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) following the administration of Republican head Donald Trump that was marred by division until the bitter end.
"As a Democrat, I was happy to see Biden win," Black, a multi-titled player and a grand slam-winning mentor in the PBA who started his basketball career in the Philippines in 1981, told Manila Bulletin on Thursday.
Black, who hails from Baltimore, Maryland, voted for Biden during the 2020 US presidential election back in November where the Democratic Party ticket of Biden and senator Kamala Harris smashed the Republican Party ticket of Trump and Mike Pence.
The 63-year-old coach of the Bolts is hoping to witness positive, sweeping changes in his motherland with the switch in government.
"My hope is that he (Biden) will be able to unite the country, correct the wrongs of Donald Trump and bring a positive outlook to the country especially concerning the pandemic."
Biden already bared his initial orders of business in the highest US office which include allocating $1.9 trillion to the country's COVID relief plan, legalizing the status of millions of immigrants, halting the construction of the border wall and rejoining the Paris climate agreement.
"We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. If we show a little tolerance and humility," the 78-year-old president in his inauguration speech.
"As my mom would say just for a moment, stand in their shoes. Because here’s the thing about life. There’s no accounting for what fate will deal you. Some days when you need a hand, there are other days when we’re called to lend a hand," he added.