We knew this was coming.
One week in, democracy is battered and bruised. We knew this was coming, and even so, it is overwhelming.
Although we knew this was coming, in some ways it was impossible to be fully prepared. The all-out assault on democratic structures, the rule of law, and vulnerable populations made the first week of this administration historic in the worst way.
On our campus, we hear whispers of students who are afraid, in particular from our LGBTQIA+ folks and those from immigrant families. Our administration is silent, which adds a dose of surrealness to the mix. They seem to claim some kind of “neutrality,” but we all know that neutrality in the face of great harm is no virtue.
Realizing that hundreds of people who violently attacked law enforcement are back on the streets, their white male supremacist leaders vowing revenge, is sickening. Knowing that lawyers for this administration argue, straight-faced, that individuals born on U.S. soil should not have the rights of citizens is appalling. Learning that federal agencies are told to cease and desist all efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that the justice department must pause prosecutions of civil rights violations, is disgusting. Finding climate crisis deniers pull funding for clean energy and add support for fossil fuels is infuriating. And watching unqualified appointees earn confirmation based entirely on loyalty, triggering a lack of confidence in the U.S. from our allies around the globe, is frightening.
The protections for our rights are being stripped away, in plain sight, with elevation of criminals and removal of physical protections for dedicated public servants. And the non-elected, unaccountable billionaire throws Nazi-like salutes at the inauguration, while the party taking power remains silent.
One week in, democracy is battered and bruised. We knew this was coming, and even so, it is overwhelming. Moderate your exposure, but do not look away entirely.Keep the faith. Hold one another (and yourself) tenderly. Humanize everyone, even those who engage in these appalling acts. Only by holding steadfastly to our commitment to the rule of law and a reality-based world view can we get through this.
The purpose of all the chaos is and has always been to distract and dishearten, to divide and conquer, while the oligarchs take over. The only sure road to the end of democracy and the end of human rights is for those of us who have the privilege to keep fighting, to give up instead.
So we won’t quit.
Be safe and take good care.
