Van Jones's tearful reaction to Joe Biden's presidential win: 'It's easier to be a parent this morning'
CNN analyst Van Jones was overcome with emotion Saturday upon the news that Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, as projected by the Associated Press.
"It's easier to be a parent this morning,” Jones said on camera as he struggled to hold back tears. “It's easier to be a dad. It's easier to tell your kids: 'Character matters, it matters. Telling the truth matters. Being a good person matters.’”
Jones, 52, went on to explain that as the 46th President of the United States, Biden would make life better for those whose livelihood was threatened under the Trump administration.
“It’s easier for a whole lot of people. If you're Muslim in this country, you don't have to worry if the president doesn't want you here. If you're an immigrant, you don't have to worry if the president is going to be happier to have babies snatched away or send dreamers back for no reason," he said, finally breaking down and wiping away his tears.
Jones tweeted a video of his passionate statement on Twitter, writing, “Today is a good day. It’s easier to be a parent this morning. Character MATTERS. Being a good person MATTERS. This is a big deal. It’s easy to do it the cheap way and get away with stuff — but it comes back around. Today is a good day.” The video has been viewed 2.3 million times.
Today is a good day.
It’s easier to be a parent this morning.
Character MATTERS.
Being a good person MATTERS.
This is a big deal.
It’s easy to do it the cheap way and get away with stuff — but it comes back around.
Today is a good day.#PresidentBiden#VotersDecided pic.twitter.com/h8YgZK4nmk— Van Jones (@VanJones68) November 7, 2020
Jones said the change in administration was welcome after a summer of racial upheaval and police brutality that sent shock waves throughout the country.
“It’s vindication for a lot of people who have really suffered. You know 'I can't breathe?' That wasn't just George Floyd; that was a lot of people who felt that they couldn't breathe," said Jones. He referred to Floyd’s death in police custody on May 25, after an officer, responding to a report that Floyd used a counterfeit $20 bill, held his knee on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes. Floyd, 46, repeatedly told the officers he couldn’t breathe.
"Every day you're waking up and you're getting these tweets and you just don't know — and you're going to the store and people who have been afraid to show their racism are getting nastier and nastier to you," Jones continued. "And you're worried about your kids and you're worried about your sister. And can she just go to Walmart and get back into her car without somebody saying something to her?"
“This is a big deal for us just to be able to get some peace,” said Jones. “And have a chance for a reset. And the character of the country matters and being a good man matters. I just want my sons to look at this, look at this. It’s easy to do it the cheap way and get away with stuff. But it comes back around...and this is a good day for this country.”
“I’m sorry for the people who lost — for them, it’s not a good day — but for a whole lot of people, it’s a good day,” he said.
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