January 6, 2021

As our TV screens flashed images of the mob incited by President Trump storming and vandalizing the US Capitol, commentators stated that January 6, 2021 will be remembered as another “day of infamy” in our history. May I suggest that actually it should be remembered as a “good day” for America. Sad, shameful, terrifying, of course, all of the above, and more; but in the end - a good day, for two reasons:

First, it was a long overdue wake-up call that spoke louder than any of Trump’s previous actions his populist and political supporters had chosen to ignore. But our democratic institutions survived by the end of the day, just enough perhaps to begin more soul searching and positive changes. Mental health therapists know that sometimes patients have to “hit the bottom” before climbing up the road to recovery. Maybe we just did.

More importantly, Georgia’s election results are a tsunami against the entrenched power of “Deep South traditions”. Dr King, J Baldwin, and many legendary civic leaders would have cried with joy and pride on this day. Disfranchised people have finally flexed their muscles with their votes, and from now on, will remember and teach their children the power of civic involvement.

On Jan 6, 2021, we survived an insurrection by white supremacists and political conspiracy theorists, and we proved that people cannot be marginalized forever. It was very painful; it was not easy. But I feel that a new chapter is being written. God Bless America.

(Submitted to the GT, Jan 7, 2021)