The Turning Point that is Today

We feared this day would come — for we know that words of violence lead to acts of violence.

A white supremacist militia group, the Proud Boys, were told to by President Trump to stand back and stand by and they did. They came to Washington yesterday and today and stood by — with thousands of others insurrectionists who sought to dismantle our democracy.

The words filling our political platforms, our media, and our lives have become divisive, distrustful, accusatory, and toxic.

In the midst of the Congressional counting of the Electoral College votes, our Capital was under siege. Rioters ransacked our State buildings. Our House chamber doors were barricaded. Our Congressional offices were trespassed. Our democracy was disrupted and disgraced.  A Confederate flag was waved in the Capital rotunda.

Let today be the lowest point.

Our democracy was interrupted yet prevailed.

Our polarized politicians returned to our hallowed, yet desecrated halls where blood was spilled and four lives were lost, to fulfill their roles and to continue the longstanding tradition of moving forward the peaceful transfer of power.

Our country was shaken. Our representatives were shaken to reconcile and finally to lead.

Turning our country around is in our leaders’ hands and in our own.

In the face of disinformation let us insist on facts. In the face of disunity let us demand working toward a united goal. Let us require that our leaders work together for our people. Let us debate not destroy.

As our country is struggling and COVID is surging and people are dying and businesses are closing — it is in all of our hands to turn our country around and to reclaim our democracy.

Oseh shalom bimromahv – may the One who makes peace in the heavens above, help us make peace in our own homes, in our own communities, in our governmental houses, and in our hearts.

 [photo by Jacob Morch]