After the Siege
Live-streamed Insurrection
The photographic and video evidence captured by the ambushers was evidence of both delusion and white supremacy. First and foremost, it demonstrates delusion in the face of the Big Lie. The Big Lie itself is a method of coercion and manipulation that, when repeated enough times, is deemed true by supporters of the perpetrator; in this instance, the perpetrator was Donald Trump. Those who mobbed the capital did so with the mentality that they were untouchable and unstoppable, the attitude put forth by the former President himself. This attitude is delusional in every facet, given that there was no supporting evidence that Trump won the election, or that it was rigged by the Biden Administration.
The media captured by the rioters is also evidence of white supremacy. I believe that white supremacy is tinted with violence, hatred, anarchy, and cruelty, among other things. These are the exact words I would use to describe the events at the capitol. Furthermore, the fact that the ambushers took videos themselves indicates that they were proud of their actions and would encourage other white supremacists to participate in the attack.
Eugene Goodman
I believe Eugene Goodman’s actions were heroic. In spite of being the only apparent security guard before calling for backup, Goodman acted quickly and authoritatively by leading to mob in the opposite direction of the Senate Chamber, thereby protecting everyone inside. He has been labeled a hero for good reason; without his quick thinking, much more damage could’ve been done.
AOC
AOC demonstrated extreme bravery in coming forward and speaking out against the attack at the capitol. At the beginning of her live, she confronts the damage and trauma that was inflicted by the ambushers, and states that “we cannot move on without accountability, we cannot heal without accountability.” I believe that this sentence itself sets the tone for her entire speech and redefines the ways we look at power. Through her narrative, we understand that power is not possessed by those who stormed the capitol, despite the violence and aggression in which they did so. Rather, power is possessed by those who are able to overcome in the face of such struggle and enable others to heal and to overcome as well.
To this end, AOC credits Iona Presley with enabling her to “pump the breaks,” and to acknowledge that what she went through was traumatizing. These exchanges with Presley, among others, allowed AOC to validate her own feelings, and was the first step to healing. This demonstrates how her relationship with other staff members offered her solace and was weight-bearing against the agony she endured.
Citizen Sleuths
Nobody served greater justice to the country and the capitol than the citizen sleuths. The anonymous participants are heroes to the extent that Eugene Goodman is. However, none of this would be possible without social media. The reason that the citizens were successful in reporting and capturing the rioters was because they leveraged various social platforms. This allowed other social media users across the country to participate, creating a collective conscience among opposers to the ambush.
This is how the hive mindset serves as a corrective. The hive mindset enables regular people to aid in social good with the help of the internet. Had the videos and photos stayed between those who had captured them, instead of being shared across the internet, identifying the rioters would’ve been extremely unlikely.
Fame vs. Infamy
According to Merriam Webster, the word famous typically has positive connotations, and “carries the meaning of widely known.” Infamous, however, typically has negative connotations, such as “having a reputation of the worst kind.”
The insurrection speaks loudly to the Trump’s infamy, and how his followers idolize his bad behavior. It informs us that idolatry is a powerful force, even when the person being idolized is deceitful, malicious and coercive. While we are taught that idols are often people who embody class, good behavior, and high moral statures, the word idol itself does not carry this definition. The word “idol” refers to any person who is greatly admired and/or worshiped. Given this, there exists two opposing sides to idolatry that arise when we distinguish fame from infamy. These sides are not to be confused with one another.
Twin Viruses
In order to heal as a nation from the twin viruses, I emphasize the importance of accountability that was underscored in AOC’s live video. With regard to the capitol coup specifically, no forward progress can be made unless the perpetrators (the Trump administration included) are held accountable. The attack on January 6th was intentional in every aspect and demonstrates the progress we have yet to make in this country. Holding each and every individual accountable who participated, supported and/or condoned the events is the first step towards this progress.
With regard to the coronavirus, I don’t believe there is one single antidote. I believe there can be tangible antidotes, such as masks, vaccines, etc. Furthermore, I also believe that theoretical concepts such as unity and respect can aid in our country’s healing. It’s a large question to answer, because unlike the events at the capitol, we are still in the middle of the battle. We do not know how much more is left to fight. We do not yet know if we have surpassed the worst of it. The COVID-19 pandemic is still very active, and an undeniable part of our lives. With the attack on the capitol over (for the time being), we can look towards a brighter future, and look towards moving on. I cannot yet say the same about the pandemic, so I cannot speak to the nature of a specific cure or antidote.
