Winter 2022 Part 5.

 

 

 

 

Gospel Music Part 5 (The Finale): The Legacy and Culture of Gospel Music 

 

Finally, this is the last part of this important series. After long centuries, gospel music remains one of the most premiere musical genres in the world. It has been found from small settings to sold out arenas worldwide in the four corners of the world. It has been expressed strongly by human beings of every color and background diligently. The growth of gospel found in multiple continents has been incredible. Movies like the Clark Sisters and Mahalia (from Lifetime) describe the wide-ranging impact of gospel singing legends on the world stage. Also, there is a long legacy of gospel music and gospel music has culture. Its culture is not just about songs and songwriting. It deals with theology, traditions, ministries, traveling, debates about various issues, and a sense of overcoming challenges. The culture of gospel is as diverse as human cultures in the globe. From spirituals, the music of Mahalia, and modern gospel shown by Tasha Combs, we have seen an evolution of gospel talent. Yet, the same messages of love, inspiration from God, and a sense of purpose remain strongly in gospel too. The major misconception that some have of gospel musicians is some have the impression that they (as in gospel artists) must be absolutely perfect, or they must be permanently reviled. The truth is that gospel artists are just like any human being with greatness, emotions, diverse personalities, and imperfections. Gospel is an international form of spiritual expression that is never meant for just one nation. It is meant to be shown globally in the places like Africa, Oceana, Europe, Antarctica, the Americas, and Australia. Another misconception is that believers in God are all on the sidelines of important political, social, and economic issues. The truth is that then and now, religious people have been leaders in fighting for civil rights, voting rights, environmental justice, and human equality. Therefore, gospel music will always be a special part of the overall human expression. It can stir up souls and inspire change. It can be loved, and gospel music is here to stay forevermore. 

 

  

Award Shows

 

For decades, gospel artists have been awarded with many awards and congratulations. One of the most famous awards shows is the Stellar Awards. The Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy (SAGMA) presented the awards since 1987. It has been on TV One from 2015-2018 and on BET from 2019 to the present. Every year, the Stellar Awards has performances by gospel artists and presentations. The first Stellar Awards ceremony was held on 1984, to honor and respect the musical accomplishments by gospel performers for the year 1983. Following the 2018 ceremony, SAGMA overhauled a few Stellar Award categories for 2019. In 2020, the awards show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony was aired virtually on August 23, 2020. Jekalyn Carr later hosted the "Stellar Tribute to the Holidays", which aired on local channels and on UPtv, Aspire TV, and Bounce TV. The first Stellar Awards took place at the Aire Crown Theater in Chicago by 1984. Some of the Categories in the show are Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year, etc. Kirk Franklin, Johnathan McReynolds, and Koryn Hawthorne hosted the 2020 Stellar Awards on BET. It was shown virtually. 

 

The GMA Dove Award show existed since 1969. It has been hosted in Nashville, Tennessee and in Atlanta, Georgia in 2011 and 2012. The ceremonies have been broadcasted on TBN. It deals with gospel styles involving rock, pop, hip hop country, and urban. The whole ceremony was envisioned by gospel singer and songwriter Bill Gaither at the Gospel Music Association board meeting in 1968. The first DOVE award took place at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968. The 52 GMA Dove Awards took place on October 19, 2021 at Allen Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The hosts of the show are Jonathan McReynolds and Natalie Grant. The nominees were announced on August 11, 2021, with producer and songwriter Steven Furtick leading ten nominations among non-artists, whilst Elevation Worship and Brandon Lake led the artist nominations with seven each. CeCe Winans won the most awards, with 4 including Gospel Artist of the Year, alongside producer Jason Ingram and worship band Elevation Worship, who both also clinched 4 awards each, the latter winning Song of the Year for "The Blessing". Pop duo For King & Country won their second consecutive Artist of the Year, whilst Maverick City Music took home the New Artist of the Year award. 

 

 

TV shows/Documentaries

 

Many TV shows and documentaries about gospel music has always been prominent. One of the recent documentaries about gospel music is called The Black Church. The documentary has been new, eye opening, and caused debate. The documentary is in the perspective of promoting the social gospel motif. It is from a liberal perspective, so Gates made sure to advance that perspective in the documentary. It is what it is. Likewise, it presented great historical information that many people didn't know about the evolution of the Black Church from the past to the present. The influence of the Great Migration spread a faster paced gospel sound from the Delta to Chicago including everywhere in America. It showed the diverse people in the gospel black tradition from more conservative people to more progressive people with different ideologies. I saw all parts of the documentary before. The far right has criticized the documentary from Gates as going too far and some in the Kemetic community (some have a hostile attitude about mainstream religion forgetting the religious people working day it and day out fighting for black liberation) criticized it as not going far enough. Gates' documentary (which has a greatly powerful, accurate refutation of the Prosperity Gospel movement) and book also focuses on his experiences in a West Virginia church on his religious upbringing. My only critique about Gates' documentary is that it didn't focus on doctrinal issues, secret societies, exposing the 1%, and other subjects that black people including others have talked about for generations. Evangelism or showing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is not found in the documentary along with in-depth studies of exegesis (or the text in the Scriptures). Other than that, it is a highly educational work that delves into the social justice realm. Touched by An Angel, Promised Land, etc. Many shows would be more for grown folks like Greenleaf. Some are for children like Veggie Tales. 

  

 

 

Religious/Spiritual Lessons

 

One of the greatest spiritual lessons in the world is to reject occult, inspired nefarious secret societies. One occult inspired group is called Freemasonry. Men join it who are 21 years old or older. I written about Freemasonry for over 10 years. I quoted dozens of sources of what Freemasonry teaches. I debated many Masons before for real on the Internet. So, there is nothing that Masonic apologists have said that I haven't heard about before. The issues with Freemasonry is that its Blue Lodge members are taught deceptions until they reach higher degrees (as proven by 33rd Degree Freemason Albert Pike in his Morals and Dogma book), it claims to have the Light to led people into enlightenment (when the Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World), and Masonry accepts numerous false doctrines (like calling a grown man Worshipful Master, some Masons promoting human godhood which is a heresy, and praising false gods in their rituals plus their own Masonic literature). The Masonic term of God is the GOATU or the Grand Architect of the Universe. God is more than an architect but the Creator. An architect can design structures, but he or she doesn't create them. Some of the modern versions of the Bible demote God from Maker to architect. One of the biggest lessons about spirituality is not to accept holidays that contradict truth. One example is Christmas. 

In the near future in 2022, I will write about Christmas' true meaning in more detail. Yet, it is clear that Christmas is not required to be celebrated by us. It is not the Lord Jesus Christ's birthday and it's not of God. The word Christmas has the world mass, and the mass is not scriptural. The mass is the perversion of the true symbolic Christian communion. Also, we remember Jesus Christ by the Lord's Supper as found in Luke 22:19. While December 25 was the date in the Roman imperial calendar to have pagan sun worship, the celebration of Christmas didn't have a direct role from the Invictus Sol holiday according to some scholars. Some scholars disagree and mention that the winter solstice is a full season where witches do ritual worship of Nature. What is true is that the Christmas trees, wreaths, the yule log, mistletoe, Santa Claus, etc. either came from paganism or are not related to OT or NT traditions. Santa Claus is a myth. Jeremiah 10:2-5 is clear that: "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen... For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." Romans 12:2 is clear that we can't be bounded under peer pressure to be politically correct on Christmas: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2). We have to separate from pagan, unscriptural celebrations with courage. There is no scriptural evidence of the Apostles celebrating Christ's birth or celebrating Christmas. So, Christmas is not of God. Also, on December 25 or on any day, it is fine to rest, to help our neighbors, to enact charity, to help the poor, to feed the hungry, and to show honor to our family and friends. That's fine. You can do these things without glorifying Christmas. Also, we are clear to reject adultery, harassment, bigotry (fake religious people claim to love their neighbors, but they hate their neighbor if their neighbor is of another background or color), murder, abuse, and risky, unstable promiscuity. These evils cause ruination of relationships among men and women, hurt children, and results in a total ruination of the soul.  

 

More Spiritual Leaders

 

Centuries ago, many spiritual leaders were persecuted by authorities because of their views on infant baptism. Anabaptist leaders Conrad Grebel (1498-1526), Felix Manz, and George Cajacob were opposed to infant baptism. They wanted to create a church filled with baptized believers with the Lord's Supper as a memorial meal. Zwingli of Switzerland didn't like this as back in the day, both Protestants and Catholics believe in infant baptism. Authorities in Zurich, Switzerland wanted all infants baptized within 8 days of birth or be banished form the city. Grebel opposed the decree since they obeyed the Word of the living God instead of an unjust law. Cajacob was baptized upon confession of his faith in Christ, and he baptized others by immersion. Grebel and Manz were sent to prison. By December of 1527, Felix Manz, Jacob Falk, and Henry Reiman was murdered by the state via drowning for opposing infant baptism. In Germany, Baptist pastor Hans Denk was driven out of a city in 1527. Hans Denk lived in Strasbourg, Germany. Denk was banished from Osiander and lived in Augsburg where he was baptized by Anabaptist preacher Hubmaier. Rhegius persecuted Denk out of Augsburg too. King Edward VI of England persecuted both Protestants and Baptists. In America, there was a law that threatened severe punishments against Anabaptists. In that year of 1644, Thomas Painter was whipped for denying infant baptism. On June 4, 1768, several Baptists were arrested in Spotsylvania, Virginia and imprisoned. Among these were John Waller, Lewis Craig, and James Childs. They spent almost six weeks in prison because of their religious views. One of the great modern spiritual leaders was Benjamin Mays (1894-1984). He was a black American Baptist minister and American civil rights leader who mentored people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Julian Bond, Maynard Jackson, and Donn Clendenon. He believed in self-determination for black people, nonviolence, civil resistance, and other actions. For years, he was the 6th President of the HBCU of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. 

  

 

The Love of Music

For thousands of years, music has been around to deal with human emotions in many ways. Some want to hate all music, and other people believe every form of music must be embraced without critique. We reject those extreme views. There is always a difference between inspirational, righteous music, and music that seeks to glorify evil. That distinction should always be emphasized. After all of these years of me living on this Earth, I do love and appreciate great music. Music helps my mind to be more creative to write, to read more information, and to analyze how the world works more thoroughly. The music from Mahalia Jackson inspires my soul. The music from Arrested Development inspires the growth of our social consciousness. Songs from the Clark Sisters definitely are legendary. We certainly realize that people can grow and be better, and that is presented by the music from many artists like Lecrae. Jordan Sparks has shown some of the most powerful messages about love, caring, and integrity in our generation. Love for music doesn't mean that we have no responsibilities in life. We do have the responsibility in life to treat people right, to be better, and have a sense of purpose to see that we are more than molecules and cells. We have a mind, soul, spirit, and a valuable intellect that can touch souls in a positive direction. Also, love doesn't mean folks should denigrate or dehumanize a person of another background. All human beings born on this Earth have value and are created equal without exception. Undeniable, the sounds of great music are priceless examples of glorious forms of enriching power. 

 

 

The Legacy of Gospel Music

 

For a long time, gospel music has been involved in a myriad of capacities. It has been expressed by people by many folks of every color to praise God, to be inspired for the journey of life, and to experience joy. We live in unique times in world history. We face many viruses, political strife, and a future dealing with numerous issues. Yet, one constant deals with the power of gospel music. Back in the day, gospel music was limited in certain churches. Today, we see massive stadiums hosting gospel concerts in America, Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, Oceania, and other places of the world. Not to mention that it is important to make known that gospel is not just an individual affair with singers. It's a collective culture. Gospel culture deals with churches, managers, songwriters, engineers, pastors, and the music in general. It's a culture that has great influence in movies and documentaries. It's a culture that focuses on celebration, introspection, and seeing that showing our vulnerabilities is part of strength. Songs from Mahalia Jackson, the Jubliee Singers, and Albertine Walker represent old school legends. Now, we have new school artists like Kirk Franklin, the Winans, Hezekiah Walker, Yolanda Adams, Victory Brinker, Elevation Worship, Tamela Mann, and other people represent the new generation of artists who sing about praising God too. Life is never easy. The common misconception is that every gospel singer is 100 percent perfect. The reality is that gospel artists are humans like us with the same emotions, thoughts, and influences just like any other person. They shouldn't be disrespected or treated less than human. Therefore, gospel music always has a great place on the hearts of tons of people worldwide. At the end of the day, you can't show what's real without showing sincere love. Selah and Amen. 

  

The Biden Presidency (One Year Later)

 

Since January 20, 2021, the Biden administration has existed. Since, we have approached almost one year since his Presidency, it is right during this time that it must be evaluated fairly. So far, we have seen the duality of massive changes in society along with other abrupt developments. We have witnessed some of the most progressive laws being passed by Biden in dealing with jobs and the infrastructure of America along with the spread of the omicron strand of the coronavirus. We have seen child poverty cut in half along with no federal legislation dealing with voting rights and police brutality (relating to forming accountability) being enacted. The lack of voting rights and police accountability federal law have caused people to have legitimate anger at the stalemate by Congress on those issues. Moderates and far right people are in unison in not wanting a real powerful voting rights law that ends state voter suppression laws. So, the first year of the Biden administration is filled with a mixture of results. What is consistent is the far-right extremism shown by the GOP. Many GOP members have not only promoted violence like Trump, but some have whitewashed the terrorist events in 1/6 (when terrorists destroyed property and harmed human lives at the U.S. Capitol with racists waving anti-Semitic plus Confederate flags at the vicinity). Some GOP members have shown overtly racist, sexist, and Islamphobic comments with little criticism made by GOP members in Congress. Therefore, the Biden administration is part of a new era after the deceptive Reagan Revolution, and we have to reckon with the facts along with advancing that same goal of justice for everybody. 

  

  

The Start (Massive Progressive Policies) 

The Biden/Harris administration started on January 20, 2021. This came weeks after the worse insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in American history on January 6, 2021 (when terrorists used weapons and other objects to assault police officers, some used racist slurs, and some flown Confederate plus Neo-Nazi flags in the Capitol). The whole area where the inauguration took place was filled with fences and U.S. National Guard troops. The whole vicinity around the Washington Mall and the U.S. Capitol was fully fortified. People wore masks, and Bernie Sanders wore eclectic mittens that became an Internet meme. Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office being the first black woman and Asian woman to be Vice President in American history. It was a very historic occasion. Also, Joe Biden took his oath of office too. President Biden spoke about desiring unity, bipartisanship, and rejecting the lies from white racists. This day was on a National Day of Unity. Parades, celebrations, and a TV primetime special (hosted by a freezing Tom Hanks and other people) showcasing American inspirational themes were in existence on that day of January 20, 2021 too. The day ended with fireworks being displayed near the White House. Immediately, President Biden made many progressive changes in society. He rejoined the Paris Agreement. He allowed America to rejoin the World Health Organization. President Biden used an executive order to revoke the Keystone XL Pipeline permit and another one to stop funding for the border for the border wall along the Mexican border. Biden ended the Trump xenophobic travel ban from Middle East countries. Many of his cabinet members were confirmed early in his first term like Avril Haines for the Director of National Intelligence. The coronavirus was spreading rapidly early in his term with more access to vaccines. The Biden administration created a rapid infrastructure to send vaccines to Americans. The issue is that tons of people either refused to be vaccinated and hospitals in many cases couldn't deal with the large numbers of people in ICUs or in other locations because of the coronavirus symptoms. Press Secretary Jen Psaki have many press briefings. Biden also allowed the Department of Education to extend the pause on federal student loans through September 30, 2021, until he changed it until May of 2022. Vice President Kamala Harris also communicated with many people like the WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

 

The Senate confirmed the Lloyd Austin as the Secretary of Defense in a vote of 93-2. Biden signed an executive order to ask agencies to boost food aid and improve the delivery of stimulus checks. He also signed an executive order to increase the minimum wage for federal employees to $15 an hour. Early during the Biden Presidency, President Joe Biden visited British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the French President Emmanuel Marcon. By late January of 2021, President Biden issued travel restrictions on many nations to try to stop the spread of new COVID-19 strains. As we shall we, these strains continued to spread massively regardless of the restrictions. During the midst of the increase of racist anti-Asian hate crimes, President Biden signed an executive order to condemn xenophobia and hate crimes against Asian Americans. President Biden ended The Department of Justice contracts with private prisons due to oppression against African American involving the justice system. This order opposed discrimination involving housing. Vice President Kamala Harris and Biden received their 2nd vaccine shots. By February 2021, the Biden administration negotiated with Republicans to try to pass a coronavirus aid package deal. Pete Buttigieg, as the Secretary of Transportation and Alejandro Mayorkas as the Secretary of Homeland Security work after they are confirmed in February of 2021. Biden supported policies to increase refugee admissions in America. Vice President Kamala Harris sworn in Denis McDonough as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. President Biden spoke with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping. President Biden held a moment of silence outside of the White House to commemorate the 500,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19. More people are confirmed by early March like Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and Chair of the Council of Economic Adviser Cecilia Rouse. One of the great parts of the Biden Administration was when President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law by March 11, 2021, on Thursday. This law helped millions of American in dealing with the pandemic virus. Deb Haaland was confirmed as Secretary of Interior by March 15, 2021 being the first Native American with that cabinet position. 

 

President Joe Biden wants 100 million vaccine shots, and 100 million stimulus checks for all Americans. He said this goal on March 15, 2021. Vice President Kamala Harris sworn in Deb Haaland as the Secretary of the Interior on March 16. Biden and Putin have tensions as Biden called Putin a violent killer. Vice President Kamala Harris sworn in Katherine Tai as the United States Trade Representative. Vice President Kamala Harris also was given the job of dealing with the immigration crisis on the border with Mexico. She led negotiations with Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. By March 31, 2021, President Biden introduced the American Jobs Plan during a speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On that date, President Biden declared March 31 as International Transgender Day of Visibility to deal with outlining more awareness to trans human beings and gender nonconfirming people. By April of 2021, the Biden administration worked hard to promote the infrastructure bill. It would be a tough, long process, but President Biden got the bill into the finish line. By early April, Russia already amassed large troops near eastern Ukraine. President Biden talked with Ukrainian President Volodyrmr Zelensky to talk about Russia and anti-corruption efforts. By April 3, there was an investigation of a car attack at a United States Capitol security checkpoint which William Evans, a Capitol police officer, died. On April 4, 2021, President Biden issued a Presidential proclamation on the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust. By this time of April 2021, Senator Joe Manchin wanted to block President Biden's plan to raise the corporate tax to 28%. Biden told the Department of Justice to draft a red flag law and propose rules on ghost suns and pistol stabilizing braces. President Joe Biden made the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States to study reforming the Supreme Court (possibly proposing increasing the number of justices). President Biden talked with Republicans and Democratic members of Congress to advance the American Jobs Plan. 

 

 

On April 14, President Biden said that he wants to withdrawal all American troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, ending America's longest overt war. Biden was right to want the withdrawal, but he rushed the evacuation causing instability in that region. In retrospect, he should have a withdrawal in specific stages while using plans for better humanitarian efforts. Biden used sanctions on Russia over a cyber attack. On April 20, 2021, President Biden spoke to the nation after Derek Chauvin was rightfully found guilty of the murder of George Floyd. Tons of Americans, including black Americans, celebrated the verdict while realizing that there is a long way to go. President Biden wants federal legislation to have police reform, but to this day, no law is passed. He met with G20 members, and Biden is the first President to recognize the Ottoman genocide of Armenians during WWI. Biden presented the American Families Plan to the Congress. Biden celebrated the 50-year anniversary of Amtrak and send condolences to the 45 victims of the 2021 Meron stampede in Israel. By May 3, 2021, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and President Biden give remarks at Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth, Virginia. He called May 5 the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. Biden talks about masks, and by this time, new debates exist about mandates involving the virus. On May 15, President Biden talked with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas involving the Gaza situation. President Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. Biden condemned the anti-Jewish hate crimes legitimately in May 24, but he is silent on giving revolutionary comments on the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis causing deaths on both sides. Biden talked with the family of George Floyd in the White House to promote the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. The President gave a speech on the 100th year anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre, he ended oil drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and he ended the Remain in Mexico policy. By June 4, 2021, President Biden recognized the 40th year anniversary of the AIDS Epidemic. Biden and Putin meet at Geneva, Switzerland on June 16. By June 17, 2021, President signed the bill making Juneteenth the eleventh federal holiday. It should have been a holiday a long time ago, but that was great news in world history. On June 23, President Joe Biden talks about his plans to curb gun violence as gun violence and crime has increased nationwide in America by 2021. 

 

 

The Summer Political Storms

 

During the day of June 25, 2021, Biden held a bilateral meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the White House. On that same day, President Biden signed a law that designates the Pulse nightclub a National memorial site, on the fifth anniversary of the Orlando nightclub shooting. He orders airstrikes in Syria in retaliation for drone attacks. By June 28, he met with the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the White House. President Biden held a virtual meeting with state governors on June 30. He nominates Amy Gutmann as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany. On July 1st, 2021, The President and First Lady Jill Biden visit Surfside, Florida to show condolences to the victims of the Surfside condominium building collapse and their families. President Biden wants to fight for his infrastructure bill and say remarks about job creation figures in June. President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to celebrate their victory in the 2020 World Series. They received custom made jerseys from the team with their names plus term numbers. By July 4, the Delta variant account for 25 percent of COVID-19 cases. After 6 months after the U.S. Capitol attack, there was the assassination of President Jovenel Moise of Haiti. The First Lady Martine Moise was wounded. President Biden starts the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan on July 8. It would end by August 31, 2021. Biden signed a proclamation declaring July 16th National Atomic Veterans Day. The President celebrated with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the White House for winning the Super Bowl. America uses a drone strike against Al-Shabaab in Somalis on July 20. Biden signed the Crime Victims Fund Act. Before, Biden was in a town hall in Cincinnati to promote his policies hosted by Don Lemon on CNN. The U.S. Ambassador to the UN was Linda Thomas-Greenfield. On August 3, 2021, Biden wanted New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign after an investigation corroborates sexual harassment allegations. To this very day, Cuomo denies some of the allegations. A new Governor is in New York state after his resignation. By August 8, Biden send B-52 bombers to attack the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on August 10 by a vote of 69-31. The Taliban quickly recapture Afghanistan in a shocking fashion in many eyes. Biden faced criticism by the far right and the neo-cons including the neo-liberals about the Afghanistan strategy, but Biden sticked by his decision for the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. President Biden welcomed the Seattle Storm for winning the WNBA championship in 2020, he wanted employers to require vaccinations, and Kamala Harris toured Singapore. Terrorists attack the Hamid Karzi International Airport in Afghanistan. The evacuations continue. Biden met with Israeli Prime Minster Naftli Bennett at the White House.

 

The soldiers, who lost their lives in Afghanistan (after the terrorist attack at the airport), have their bodies delivered to Dover Air Base with honors sent by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The end of the U.S. military involvement of the Afghanistan was by August 31, 2021. The result of this situation will be debated for years and decades. Biden responded to Hurricane Ida. Also, President Biden went to Louisiana to survey the damage from Hurricane Ida. He wanted declassification of the documents related to 9/11 via executive order. Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned with California Governor Gavin Newsome in San Leadnro ahead of the September 14 recall election. He or President Biden spoke with China's leader Xi Jinping. At Ground Zero, on September 11, 2021, Biden, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama attended a memorial commemorating the 20th year anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Biden campaign for California Governor Gavin Newsom in Long Beach. Newsom wins to defeat the recall as he remains Governor of California. By the end of summer, many Haitians were abused by U.S. authorities (there were images of border patrol agents on horseback with reins chasing Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas), wildfire spread in America, and Biden created an interagency plan to deal with the effects of frequent extreme heat waves caused by global warming. By the end of the Summer, President Biden dealt with unique challenges domestically and foreign policy wise. 

 

 

Fall Crisis and Opportunities

 

By September 22, 2021, President Biden said at a COVID summit at the UN General Assembly that America is doubling its purchase of Pfizer vaccines and the goal to get vaccines to 70% of the population by next year. President Biden's approval rating dropped to 43% and Vice President's rating is 49%. On that day of September 22, Vice President Kamala Harris met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson a day after his meeting with President Biden. On September 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule that will phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbon, an organic compound usually found in refrigerators. Daniel Lewis Foote resigned as U.S. Envoy to Haiti in protest of the inhumane treatment and expulsions of migrants from Haiti. Jen Psaki said that the horse patrols in Del Rio, Texas have been temporarily suspended. Vice President Kamala Harris met with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Ghanian President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. By September 24, 2021, President Biden met with Indian Prime Minster Modi, Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrision, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. On that day, Vice President was interviewed by The View members. Before the interview existed, co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro were asked to leave the set since they were tested positive for COVID-19. Harris was interviewed virtually with the remaining hosts. President Biden got his booster shot on camera on September 27, 2021. He wants more vaccine mandates. By September 28, top generals like Frank McKenzie told lawmakers under oath that they advised President Biden earlier in his presidency to keep several troops in Afghanistan. Biden wants to change the filibuster rules to suspend the debt ceiling Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that her department could run out of money by October 18, 2021. President signed legislation that would extend funding for the U.S. government through December 3, 2021. It avoided a government shutdown. Government funds were due to run out at midnight.

 

On October 1, 2021, President promises to pass the infrastructure bill as he travels to Capitol Hill to meet Nancy Pelosi (to unify a divided Democratic party). Biden wants to extend the debt ceiling situation. President Biden goes to Howell, Michigan to promote the infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better bill. The U.S. Senate confirms Biden appointee Damian Williams as Attorney for the Southern District of New York, making him the first African American to lead the office on October 5, 2021. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell offer a short-term suspension on the U.S. debt ceiling to avert an economic crisis until Democrats are able to pass a permanent solution, and President Biden met with multiple CEOs of several major banks to talk about the debt ceiling. On October 8, 2021, President Biden signs a bill called the HAVANA Act authorizing additional support for diplomats and government officials who are suffering from Havana syndrome, and he issued a proclamation to make Indigenous People's Day a federal holiday, making him the first President to do so. President Biden rejected Donald Trump's attempt to cite executive privilege over records relating to the 2021 Capitol attack. President Biden signs two acts into law, H.R. 2278, which links the September 11th National Memorial Trail with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, and the Flight 93 National Memorial. The second act is S. 848, known as "Consider Teachers Act of 2021", which modifies the service obligation verification process for TEACH Grant recipients and to extend the service obligation window due to the pandemic. That was on October 13, 2021. By this time, the supply chain crisis increases. Biden wants to expand offshore wind energy and other clean energy alternatives by 2025. Biden wants Walmart, FedEx, and UPS to work around the clock to send goods to Americans.

 

Vice President Harris meets with Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley. On October 14, 2021, President Biden met with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta at the White House. President Biden called Bill Clinton after Clinton had an infection. Clinton was at the hospital for a time. People in the street of Hartford, Connecticut at the Capitol Child Development Center supported his Build Back Better Agenda. President Biden visits the University of Connecticut to pitch his infrastructure bill and rededicate The Dodd Center for Human Rights. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden campaigns for gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe in Henrico County, Virginia and Governor Phil Murphy at the New Jersey college Middlesex. President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and Alejandro Mayorkas honor the officers who died at the United States Capitol for the 40th National Peace Officers' Memorial Service. President Biden honored the death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell. That was on October 18, 2021. President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden host a White House ceremony to celebrate the National Teachers of the Year from 2020 and 2021. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Envoy to Afghanistan, steps down from his position, less than two months after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. By October 19, President Biden extends the deadline to the Fentanyl Sanctions Act for the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking to February 2022. President Biden signs an executive order that hopes to eliminate racial problems in the U.S. education system among African-Americans and improve their education and financial outcomes. Jen Psaki and an analysis from the New York Post confirms that the government is flying undocumented underage Haitian immigrants from the Florida border to New York early in the morning. After Vice President Kamala Harris's birthday, Biden hosts another townhall in Baltimore, Maryland (hosted by CNN and Anderson Cooper). He talks about oil and OPEC. 

 

 

Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden go out to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of the Dr. King Memorial at Washington, D.C. Kamala Harris said that Dr. King was a prophet, and the monument is dedicated to a man who lived among us. Vice President Harris campaign with Terry McAuliffe in Dumfries before the VA gubernatorial election. In Richmond, Virginia, former President Barack Obama campaign for Terry McAuffile. Terry lost the election to Glenn Youngkin over his lies about CRT and acting like a moderate when he is a reactionary conservative. President Biden campaigned in Virginia and lost. Biden in late October 2021, came to Rome to see the Pope, worked in the G20 meeting, and worked to fight for the infrastructure bill. On November 5, 2021, President Biden attends the funeral of former Secretary of State Colin Powell at the Washington National Cathedral. Former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama were also in attendance. The House passes the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by a vote of 228–206 on that same day. The new infrastructure law is one of the Biden administration's greatest accomplishments. By early November 2021, many states fight the vaccine mandates promoted by President Biden. On November 6, a federal court in Louisiana, with the plaintiffs being Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Utah, has blocked the Biden administrations vaccine mandate for employees. 

 

 

Some businesses follow vaccine mandates. President Biden congratulated the Milwaukee Bucks in their NBA Finals victory from 2021. Karine Jean-Pierre, spokeswoman for the White House, said in a press meeting that the Army Corps of Engineers is replacing Line 5 of the oil and gas pipeline, which could potentially increase winter gas prices. On November 8, Representative Paul Gosar tweets an altered video of the intro of Attack on Titan with him depicted as a hero killing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Biden and calling for violence against migrants. It was met with immediate backlash, with people saying that he should be banned from Twitter. Ocasio-Cortez herself criticized the video, citing several instances of harassment she has faced on the job. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was honored by President Biden's mention of Satchel Paige in his Veterans Day speech. Jen Psaki survived COVID-19. By Monday, November 15, 2021, President Biden celebrated and signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. There was the Waukesha car rampage at a Christmas parade in late November of 2021. President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden travel to Fort Bragg to celebrate a "Friendsgiving" with military personnel and families. On December 1, the Biden administration gave remarks on the 33rd anniversary of World AIDS Day to fight AIDS and HIV. The omicron variant grows rapidly by early December. Ukraine has many Russian troops at their borders. Former Kansas Senator Bob Dole died on November 5, 2021, and President Biden gave his remarks to honor his life. President Biden bans U.S. diplomats to the Winter Olympics in 2022 at Beijing. Biden sent resources to help the victims of the December tornado outbreak in the South and Midwest, especially in Kentucky. Biden speaks with Senator Joe Manchin on the Build Back Better plan. President Biden presents the Medal of Honor (2 posthumously) to Alwyn Cashe (the first African-American to be awarded since the Vietnam War), Christopher Celiz, and Earl Plumlee. The debt ceiling is signed into law by December 16. President Biden calls for voting rights at the South Carolina University. Manchin on December 19 said that he would not support the economic and climate agenda of the Biden administration.  

  

 

Winter Evaluations

 

On the time of Winter at December, President Biden speaks about his plan to fight the Omicron variant. By this time, the Omicron variant spread rapidly worldwide and in America. So far, it is not as deadly as the Delta, but Omicron is fast spreading and powerful. Biden extended the payments for student loan borrowers being delayed until May 1, 2022. On December 27, 2021, President Biden was involved in a virtual meeting with many national governors saying that Omicron should not cause panic. Biden released a statement on the death of former Nevada Senator Harry Reid. He also plays with the family dog named Commander near their 2nd home in the Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. By December 30, 2021, Biden and Putin talk about lowering tensions involving the country of Ukraine. Now, we are in the year of 2022. By January 6, 2022, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris gave speeches at the Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol on the year anniversary of the 2021 United States Capitol terrorist attack and insurrection. Colorado hate wildfires. President Biden gave his remarks during the memorial service of the Former Majority Leader, Nevada Senator Harry Reid. By early January 2022, the Biden administration is adamant to promote the John Lewis Voting Rights Act bill to be passed. Biden wants the filibuster rules to be changed, but 2 moderate Senators (Manchin and Sinema) refuse to oppose the racist filibuster. Recently, the mostly conservative Supreme Court ban mandates for public large corporations, but it allowed mandates for federally fund institutions. Yet, many mandates have helped many airline companies to prevent death from the COVID-19 virus. This is a public health emergency, not some minor cold. Now, we see rising inflation, some lower unemployment, and an uncertain future. 

 

 

What the Future Holds

 

Only Almighty God knows the whole future. What we do know is that the 2022 Midterms are coming up. The Biden administration from the beginning wanted to advance a massive change from the Trump administration. After the fascist coup attempt on January 20, 2021, the Biden administration had to deal with complex, important issues like the pandemic virus, voting rights, economics, foreign policy matters, education, racism, and other legal matters. By the end of the first year of the Biden administration, the coup plotters are being investigated. Plainly speaking, the coup plotters should be prosecuted, gone through a trial, and sent into prison. Their actions are more than just criminal behavior. Their insurrection was treason. Authoritarian leaders like Xi and Putin have been claimed even by so-called "independent liberals," but both of them have laws suppressing the freedom of speech, suppressing religious freedom, and harboring hatred of progressive values. It is one thing to oppose Western imperialism as we should do that. Yet, it is hypocritical for some to claim to oppose U.S. imperialism, but they are silent on Putin being a far-right wing oligarch or Xi's forces suppressing the freedom of press in Hong Kong plus other places of China. Unlike neo-cons, I reject some invasion of China and Russia. I believe in solving our foreign policy issues peacefully. We have some good news like the unemployment rate being down to 4.2 percent, child poverty cut in half, the court swarding $26 million in damages to Charlottesville riot victims, retail sales rise 8.5%, the growth of the union movement, and an infrastructure law. We have a long way to go too like no federal voting rights legislation, no policing legislation, no increase of the federal minimum wage for all workers, and a Build Back Better bill not being passed yet. The biggest threat to our democracy doesn't include people from another country. The threats are far right extremists who worship Trump, and they are relentless in trying to ruin the American multiracial democratic system. So, we have to be militant to fight for our rights literally. This is real. I have hope for the future too. Justice for all is what we stand for forever and forever.

 

By Timothy