"The first presidential debate between former Vice President Joseph R. Biden and President Donald J. Trump took place last night in Cleveland, Ohio. And like nearly everything occurring in 2020, it was mired in chaos and deeply unsettling.
What I had hoped would be at the heart of the eveningās debate was meaningful policy pertaining to families, young children, and the future of the planet they are set to inherit. Instead, what viewers were subjected to was a barrage of outbursts, interruptions, and aggressive attacks. It was abundantly clear that, with none of the issues in focus, the lessons from the event would instead issue a powerful reminder of how we are to move peacefully through the world.
As a parent, here is what Iām taking away from the evening.
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1. Trump refused to denounce white supremacy
When pressed to condemn the white supremacists often seen gathering beneath the Trump banner, the president only issued a casual request for such groups to āstand back and stand by,ā whichāas if it even needed to be underscoredāis not a denunciation.
In response to the presidentās remarks, the New York Times reported that one such group, the Proud Boys, celebrated Trumpās statement as a āhistoricā win and a ātacit endorsement of their violent tactics.ā Not only does the presidentās refusal embolden dangerous far-right groups, but it also lays bare a troubling truth about a potential second term: Trump shows little interest in attempting to unify a deeply hurting and divided nation.
2. Biden acted like a dad
In what was, in my opinion, the most moving moment of the night, Biden came to the defense of his sons, Hunter Biden and the late Beau Biden. The latter, an Iraq War veteran who later died following a battle with brain cancer, he lauded as a hero and a patriot. Biden also spoke candidly of Hunterās struggle with substance abuseāand took pride in his road to recovery. āLike a lot of people you know at home, my son had a drug problem,ā Biden said. āHeās overtaken it. Heās fixed it. Heās worked on it, and Iām proud of him.ā
3. Trump called racial sensitivity training āracistā
Earlier this month, the president halted the practice of racial sensitivity training throughout federal agencies. The memo issued from his office cited such training on white privilege and critical race theory as, ādivisive, anti-American propaganda.ā In the midst of discussing the Black Lives Matter movement, Biden questioned Trump on his decision to end these sessions for federal employees. āI ended it because itās racist ā¦ ā the President said. āI ended it because a lot of people were complaining that they were asked to do things that were absolutely insaneāthat it was a radical revolution that was taking place in our military, in our schools, all over the place.ā
This is a painful moment for our nation, and it is critical for us all to acknowledge the many injustices people who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color face each and every day. Here at The Everymom, we firmly believe that Black lives, Black dreams, and Black futures matter. To shut down the conversation just as it is truly beginning is to deny the BIPOC community any hope for equitable footing.
Here at The Everymom, we firmly believe that Black lives, Black dreams, and Black futures matter. To shut down the conversation just as it is truly beginning is to deny the BIPOC community any hope for equitable footing.
4. We got a real-time lesson in critical thinking
Sure, politicians have long mastered the ability to harness and manipulate data to their advantage. As such, in any debate, the nationās fact-checkers are hard at work, parsing truth from fiction as it tumbles from the candidatesā lips.
With a fair amount of hyperbole, this debate served up a good reminder for parents to teach their kids the importance of thinking critically and doing their research. After all, our kids will grow up with the world and all its newsāreliable and not so muchāat their fingertips. It will be imperative that they learn to ask the right questions and double-check their sources on their way to uncovering the truth.
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5. We saw the importance of listeningāeven when we donāt agree
Mid-debate I received a text from a friend that said, āWe expect better from our kids!ā Isnāt that the truth? Would we as parents ever tolerate our children treating one another in such a way?
I know some readers will celebrate the Presidentās behavior as “victorious” and “aggressive.” I know too that Biden had moments that likely sent Democrats into a collective cringe. But by and large, I was taken aback by Trumpās penchant for interrupting. It became such an issue during the debate that it prompted an oft-bewildered moderator Chris Wallace to appeal directly to the president to allow his opponent to speak. It reminded me of the importance of active listening and how imperative it is to model for our kids how to be open and respectfulāeven when we disagree.
6. Biden reminded us to vote
At the end of the debate, when the entire country was frazzled and depleted, Biden addressed the American people, urging us to get out and vote. After an evening that left many feeling hopeless, Biden sought to give agency back to the people. āJust make sure you understand,ā he said, addressing the camera. āYou have it in your control to determine what this country is going to look like the next four years.ā If you need any information on voting, from registering to checking your polling place to knowing your rights, vote.org has you covered. Whether you vote early, in-person on election day, or by mail, make certain your voice is heard and your vote is counted. The future of our country is in our hands.Ā
If you missed the first presidential debate and would like to watch it, click here for the full video.Ā
Read More: Hereās What to Know About Voting by Mail, State by State