Video shows Capitol mob dragging a police officer down stairs. One rioter beat the officer with an American flag pole. https://t.co/6zutlIgVKg

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 11, 2021

I am struggling.

I am angry and sad about the display of insurgency at our nation’s Capitol this week.

I am shocked at the lack of police presence and response to this riot that exemplifies a total disregard for the laws of our land. Especially in contrast to the Black Lives Matter protest that was simply standing up for equal treatment under those same laws.

I am astounded that people I know—and love—support this president. I just don’t see the evidence to substantiate this support.

I see someone without experience in political office in the highest political office.

I see someone without an education in law responsible for implementing and enforcing our laws.

I see someone who never served in the military as commander in chief of our military.

I see a failed businessman affecting our economic policies with bankrupt businesses and a bankrupt morality.

I see a misogynist who declares it’s okay to grab a woman’s private parts.

I see a liar who did not disclose to us about the dangers of COVID-19—for one.

I see someone who is not a scientist intruding upon the expertise of scientists as in interfering with the reports of the CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

I see a world leader who severed ties with other world leaders addressing climate change, a most serious threat to our planet, by leaving the Paris Climate Accord.

I see a racist who calls the Ku Klux Klan in Charlottesville “very fine people,” who directs federal agencies to limit their racial sensitivity trainings, and who encourages the Proud Boys to “stand by.”

I see a bully who disparages anyone who disagrees with him, firing many of his own staff, slandering Democrats simply because they are not Republicans and Republicans simply because they don’t do his bidding, and who aligns himself with dictatorial leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jon-un.

I see a cheat who calls on citizens doing their jobs to aid and abet in high crimes and misdemeanors to overturn the will of the people in the election.

I see a person who incited the riot that made a mockery of our democratic process.

And a good number of people sanction this person. There is more here than meets the eye. Our nation and its people—that’s you and it’s me—have some serious work ahead.

In the words of John F. Kennedy, “Let us not despair but act. Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.”

How to begin? Be the change we wish to see. It starts that simply. Then you are better able to serve the greater good.

I think everyone should talk or write or draw or paint or sing or dance or hike in the woods or go for a swim. Do whatever it takes to process your thoughts and emotions.

Then from a place of balance and also aligned with “the better angels of our nature,” as Lincoln said, see what arises as an action. For me, it’s writing this article at the moment. For you, it may be something else.

And never minimize simple kindnesses, both with others as well as with yourself. Those ripples make the waves we want to ride.

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

~