The inauguration.

Only 193,000 rode the Metro-Washington on January 20, 2017. Pans over deserted stands and half empty National Mall seemed to swell the internet in the following days. The president has the Fox News approval rating of 41.8 percent.

The majority of Americans were unhappy with President Trump even before he took office. The inauguration had to be an event from which America could heal and grow together. This was Trump’s chance to speak to America, to reach out to the America who didn’t vote for him. He needed to address the problems people had with him, to heal the wounds made from the campaign. Instead, he did something unprecedented. He came out and created one of the biggest contradictions in modern history.

He stated, “Today’s ceremony, however, has very special meaning. Because today, we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another. But we are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the people.”

However, his actions lean another direction. His picks for his cabinet are either rich campaign contributors, or have endorsed him in the campaign. The new face of our country’s education system is a billionaire endorser with almost no experience in the K-12 systems, Betsy DeVos. His Secretary of State is Rex Tillerson, the billionaire former CEO of ExxonMobil. His Secretary of the Treasury, Steve Mnuchin, is from your neighborhood hero Goldman Sachs.

He goes on to state, “From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first — America first,” and “Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength. I will fight for you with every breath in my body. And I will never, ever let you down.”

He releases a theme then and there, and makes a promise he can’t keep. He’s already let down over 60% of the nation by continuing to ostracize the American people by his ties with Russia, a controversial cabinet, conflict of interest business ties, and a vice president who openly supports conversion therapy. Trump himself denies facts, and averts questions that don’t make his administration looks good.

What Trump can’t deny now is the public disapproval of his administration. His first day marked the largest international protest of the century, the Women’s March. Protests were held in London, Paris, Athens, Atlanta, New York City, Los Angeles and more. More than a million people joined in the streets to protest for Women’s rights.

As to of the protests, Trump tweeted, “Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I don’t always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views.”

No matter how you feel, open discussion is needed. And that’s an important thought for the most diverse block in the state of Mississippi.