Surreal

As 2020 came to a close, the glimmer of hope regarding a vaccine for COVID-19 had arrived. The United States had shipped millions of doses of vaccine throughout the country. In addition to that, in the background, the political train was chugging along and gaining momentum towards January 6th when the Senate would meet to certify the Electoral Vote.

The first few days of 2021 started hopeful though many of us have a cautious optimism as 2020 was supposed to be the chosen year. News from the UK and South Africa regarding mutations in the COVID-19 spike protein were surfacing. The spike protein allows for cellular penetration and it seemed that these newer strains had sharpened their spikes. On the morning of January 6th, there were even reports that the antibodies used to treat people with COVID-19 weren’t working as well in patients infected with the South African strain. Still hopeful optimism persists that the vaccines, particularly the mRNA vaccines should produce an adequate response to the new variants as there are many sites on a protein that antibodies can be formed against.

The events of January 6th, 2021 are surreal to me in a multitude of ways. Firstly, our sitting President had called for loyal followers to resist the democratic process. Secondly, there were several politicians who agreed so far as to agree that they would challenge the electoral college (this is the process, of course, so I totally agree with their right to have civil discourse and dialogue). Thirdly, the sitting President had made comments at a rally the day before about creating another party that was neither Democrat or Republican (he forgot to include the Independents). As the day inched forward, my colleagues shared with me what was going on in the Capitol. The protest had turned into a riot, the protestors became a mob, and Senators were barricaded inside of the halls of the Capitol. Watching the video, seeing the photos. This is surreal.

I want to get this correct in tone, verbiage, and intent; however, this is a charged, fresh, and polarized topic that makes it nearly impossible. So, here we go. The United States people have to be better than this if we are going to a beacon in the world. Our roots may have included a tea party and revolution against an oppressive government. The United States past is littered with unethical events, racism, hate, violence, corruption, and war crimes. The redeeming qualities of the United States is the ability to learn from our mistakes through the efforts of the people, civil discourse, political movements, and hope against all odds. In a way, I can see why those so loyal to the sitting President would read this and push harder for their cause. Democracy fails without a well informed populous. It takes effort to read the bills, keep up with the votes in the Capitol, and to have civil conversations when you disagree on so many of the points of the person that you are speaking. It is the duty of the populous to put in more work than watching their favorite news outlet or social media feed.

When I watched the mob enter the Capitol, screaming at armed security, ransacking offices, taking selfies, I wept for the United States. I ran different scenarios in my head regarding different ethnic populations doing the same thing as these people had done. Only one person was shot during the events of January 6th. The woman, reportedly an Air Force Veteran, died. The remainder of the mob was dispersed and either fled or were incarcerated.

As my colleagues and friends are pointing out, if the mob had been darker skinned or chanting for another political candidate’s name or rhetoric, this would have been a massacre. It has been a year where this continues to come up and it is likely accurate. I have friends who still discuss with their kids how to avoid being shot as a person of color. I have to discuss with my daughters that they will have to be better because they are female. I worry about my friends and family that are nonconformist to ideals of a vocal and violent minority (I hope). Even now, the emotions of denial in some readers should cause a moment of pause and reflection. This is where you regain objectivity of these moments or outrage.

This is the not the moment to spin up the “Yeah, but” program in your mind. It is time to reflect on the events of yesterday, recognize the events leading up to yesterday, mourn/cry/breath, learn from this, and refocus on the virtues and ethics that can bring better days. None of us should force our way of thinking on others or censor ideas that make us uncomfortable. I encourage you all to have the discussions, learn from each other, and be open to thoughts and opinions different than your own.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Please read the constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Amendments. Reflect deeply on yourself in the light of those words, all of them. Find common ground and start having the conversations.

2020 was not the greatest year for many people. I hope 2021 will be better. If the world is only going to throw these lemons at us, we had better work on us. Work on how we manage the stress, process the information, and work to make a better world than the one we were were thrown.

Though I don’t believe or condone the actions that led to the loss of her life, I am always saddened to hear about the death of a military veteran. Rest in Peace, Ashli Babbit.