Trump’s coup failed, but we all really lost
Witnessing the last four years has been like watching a wild (but predictable) movie. In the least surprising climax to Donald Trump’s presidency, the attack on the Capitol was a disaster we all saw coming but were helpless to prevent. What happens when politicians lie to the masses in order to protect the ego of an out-of-control authoritarian? What happens when people put their political aspirations above truth, morality and common sense? What happens, as Edmund Burke wrote, when good men do nothing? This is what happens.
Jan. 6, 2021, is a day none of us will soon forget. I was in the middle of a Zoom meeting when my phone started buzzing frantically with texts from anxious friends and family horrified by what they were seeing. Nothing can prepare you to watch an attempted coup on your own government, even if you knew it was coming. This insurrection was not privately cultivated behind closed doors. This was a fire that was built, lit and accelerated in plain sight on social media, in the press and directly from the mouth of our sitting president and his powerful supporters — the very leaders we entrusted to protect our democracy.
In a true testament to Trump’s power and influence, those who attacked the Capitol openly didn’t think they were doing anything wrong. It seems they wholeheartedly believed they were doing the “right thing” to protect American democracy. They took selfies, posted videos and hosted livestreams on social media. They willingly shared their faces and names as if the history books would remember them as heroes and patriots. While I reflect on the dreadful events at the Capitol, legions of people celebrate the violence and lawlessness that went down. I’m an unapologetic optimist, but even I am shaken at the thought of this.
As we pick up the pieces, how do we move forward as a nation? How do we convince millions of people, who are entrenched in their beliefs, that they’ve been conned? How do we restore hope and trust in our democracy to those who still look to Trump as their savior? How do we convince that many people that it is impossible to preserve democracy by staging a rebellion against a fair and legitimate election? These are questions we desperately need to answer to pull us out of dark days and toward the light.
Trump’s coup failed, but we all lost Wednesday. Many of us will have to grieve the assault on our home, people and democracy, but if we truly believe that America is great and that it’s worth saving, everyone needs to act fast. Rioters must be held accountable for their actions, but we have to be very careful with our reaction. Seeking revenge is another predictable plot point that leads to civil war. Each of us should act in ways that can help bring one and all back from the brink. We must fight back with truth and integrity. We have to act with kindness and peace. This is a critical time to use our art, our voices, our intentions and our actions to restore balance to this country. The future of our nation truly depends on it.