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A U.S. senator being dragged from a news conference, thrown to the ground and handcuffed simply because he wanted to ask a question. Ordinary people being plucked from their cars or workplaces or off the street by masked ICE agents (And why, exactly, do they wear masks when they do their work?).
President Donald Trump’s pardon of the criminals who violently attacked the U.S. Capitol and assaulted police officers. The horrific murders of a state representative and her husband.
I believe this climate of violence is fostered by an administration that issues a constant stream of tough talk and harsh, dehumanizing slurs on people the president doesn’t like. The pardons as much as said that violence in Trump’s name is acceptable.
There was no support of the governor or people in the state where the murders happened; instead, Trump issued a vile attack on the governor. The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives blamed the senator who was assaulted because he asked a question.
The rhetoric coming from many members of this administration causes fear and increases the stress levels of everyone. This, in turn, increases volatility, which then increases the likelihood of violence erupting in attacks and other incidents. We turn against each other in anger and distrust, which becomes hatred.
We have the power to resist all this. We don’t have to be angry at each other and ready to strike out at any provocation. We are all Americans. We can change this violent atmosphere if we each do our part.
We can listen to each other quietly, with full attention. We can reach out to help each other as we have always done before. We are not enemies. We are all Americans, and together we can make this country kind again.
Carolyn Bower
Surry
