Week Three: Healing and Accountability
How can we heal as a nation from these twin viruses: COVID19 and The Big Lie/QAnon Conspiracy Contagion? What are some of your proposed antidotes?
My heart has been so heavy for the past year. In the past year, thousands of people have died daily and life has been far from normal. The attack on the Capitol was the most shocking thing I have ever witnessed in my life, and I didn’t think anything would be able to top the pandemic.
To heal from these viruses we need to provide people with facts. Social media (and Donald Trump) has made our country more divided than it has ever been in history. Providing people with facts that aren’t up for debate, and killing conspiracy theories before they catch traffic.
When it comes to the pandemic, people need to do their part. Personally, I am so tired of seeing celebrities and influencers partying and traveling, going on with their lives as if people aren’t dying every single day. Personally, instead of pretending as if our lives were normal, I believe we need stricter guidelines for our lives to go back to normal.
What are your thoughts on Eugene Goodman’s actions the day on Jan 6th?
Eugene Goodman is a hero. He handled the situation with such bravery and leadership. Many people would crack under the pressure of the specific situation, understandably, however Goodman protected the lives of those in the Capitol. I think Eugene Goodman deserves all the accolades he is receiving. With this heartbreaking event, I hope this event and his name is remembered in history for years to come.
Do you think AOC demonstrated bravery in telling her story? How does such a narrative redefine power? How do her relationships with other staff members provide solace and assist with collective healing?
I think Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was extremely brave for her telling her story, a story which I’m sure was difficult to share. She discusses her experience as a survivor of sexual assault and January 6th.She states in her IGTV that her story is not the central story of the horrid day, but an important story nonetheless. I think this narrative redefines power because I’m sure her, and many other Senators, police officers, custodial staff, and food workers felt very powerless that day. However, she is not backing down. Almost one month later, she is still telling the story and making sure we don’t forget. This is not an event that can be swept under the rug. In her IGTV she states “We cannot move on without accountability. We cannot heal without accountability, and so all these people telling us to move on are doing so at their own convenience.” Her relationship with Katie Porter and Ayanna Pressley provide solace and collective healing for themselves, as well as the Americans who were also terrified that day. Having such strong women in office not forgetting this day gives me peace that this will never be tolerated, and that we are no longer in “Trump’s America.”
What is the difference between Fame and Infamy? What does the insurrection say about the shadow side of celebrityhood and false idolatry?
Fame is being known or notable for achievements or accomplishments. Generally, to achieve “famous status” you are well liked by the general public. For example, Eugene Goodman is now a name we’re hearing quite often in the news because of his bravery and accomplishments. On the other hand, infamy is being known for your bad qualities or negative actions. The insurrection says a lot about the shallow side of celebrityhood and false idolatry. Blinding following whatever a celebrity says, solely because they’re a celebrity, is extremely harmful. They didn’t do any thinking because Donald Trump did it for them. Without question, they did whatever he said. One year ago, Mike Pence was a “great, loyal man.” Flash forward one year later, the same people are chanting “hang Mike Pence.” Donald Trump is a perfect example of someone who will live in infamy, whether his followers know it or not. Another example of infamy is Jake Angeli. The fact that he will be a face we see in history for years to come makes my skin crawl.
The social media, live-streamed insurrection: what does it mean that the perpetrators of the Capitol siege provided photographic and video evidence of their crimes? Was this more evidence of delusion? Of white privilege?
I believe the live-streaming and posting of the siege of the Capitol was an act of both delusion and white privilege, but mainly white privilege. This event was live streamed, vlogged, and posted about on pretty much every social media platform. Trump supporters were truly delusional in believing that there would be no negative repercussions, they thought they were doing what’s best for the country, which makes the situation more terrifying. As well as calling themselves names such as ‘patriots’ and ‘true Americans.” During the Black Lives Matter protest, people were refraining from posting and wearing gear that protected them from facial recognition just as an extra precaution. The fact that these people were loud and proud about taking over The Capitol screams white privilege.
Discuss the role of citizen sleuths and the anonymous creator of Faces of the Riot in this ongoing collaboration with the FBI. How does the hive mind serve as a corrective?
If I could personally thank the creator of Faces of the Riot, I would. Like states earlier, these people were not secretive about their attendance on January 6th. They were posting and vlogging their attendance, they had no shame in being there, they were proud. Citizen Sleuths united for a common good. They worked together to hold them accountable. If these people are accounted for and their faces are recognizable, we can monitor them to make sure an event like this never happens again.