It is hard to put into words how the events of this past week have affected us, as individuals and as a country. Like you, we watched the scenes out of Washington, D.C. with a mix of emotions: disbelief, fear, anger. It was hard to imagine that such a brazen, violent attempt to overthrow democratic institutions was unfolding in real time before our eyes. We were shaken by the violence and hate emanating from the crowd, of the image of the confederate flag being paraded around the Capitol, the glee of those for whom this insurrection seemed patriotic, rather than a subversion of the Constitution and democratic institutions, and the refusal of many elected officials to condemn this assault in the clearest and strongest of terms.
While Wednesday’s events were shocking, it is also absolutely apparent that they were the culmination of processes that are deeply embedded in American society. The institutions and dynamics that have contributed to violence and polarization, fomented a culture of lying and denial, encouraged conspiratorial thinking and hateful rhetoric, all while allowing white supremacy to flourish unchecked and unchallenged in many corners of this country are certainly not new. It will take a muscular commitment to democratic practices and an honest appraisal of their limitations in the days ahead, not only to challenge poverty of mind and overcome the resulting political and cultural degradation, but to dismantle a broader culture of oppression in order to create a more just and equitable society.
At this moment, it is hard to strike an optimistic note, especially as it is unclear what the fallout of last week will be given the continuing refusal by the current administration to accept the legitimacy of the election. But in this troubling time, we want to express our unwavering support for you, for a peaceful transition of power, and for democracy. We know many of you worked tirelessly during these past months to ensure free and fair elections, including efforts to promote voter registration, support candidates, and safeguard access to the polls, particularly for vulnerable and underrepresented groups – and all during an unprecedented public health crisis. We are deeply proud of the many ways you have engaged as responsible citizens of your communities and contributed to the health and vitality of the American democratic experiment.
The Political Science faculty