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January 6, 2021, the Epiphany

Epiphany – “a sudden flash of understanding.” For many people who saw what happened at the nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6, it was far from an epiphany. It was predictable based on what the POTUS had been encouraging for weeks: an attack by domestic terrorists. Because those terrorists are white and speak English and carry the American flag, does not lessen their criminality, nor should it lessen their responsibility.

That they were called to action by Donald Trump should also be recognized as incitement, at the very least. That some Capitol police let the terrorists in and posed for selfies with them is an act of complicity and criminality. And, that the likes of hypocritical Ted Cruz, raised-fist brandishing Josh Hawley, and 50th Congressional District Representative, spine-less Darrell Issa continued to foment that insurrection, before and after the violent afternoon and evening, through a stream of rhetoric as they objected to the certification of legitimately elected Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris, is a clear indication that they, too, are responsible for the mob attack. They should be held accountable.

So much happened that should have given folks an “epiphany.” Unequal law enforcement response – it must be said and said often, if those protestors had been people of color, the response would be, and has been, wholly different; Trump’s self-interest above obligations to the constitution; the blatant cowardice of Darrell Issa-types; the obvious destruction and thus criminal actions boasted by the terrorists , to name a few.

And some folks have responded, albeit too little too late: Rats abandoning the ship should not be praised. Elaine Chao, Betsy DeVos, Trump’s family, etc., etc., aided and abetted Trump’s disruptive agenda from the beginning, getting us to the sad state we are in today.

All of the inhumane and destructive actions that Trump’s administration did to upend this country have been fermenting for four years. And they bear responsibility. The only epiphany they experienced is that now it’s their personal lives and careers that are being affected. It is disingenuous to “suddenly” recognize how morally deficient and dangerous this person they choose to enable is. That lack of spine is their legacy to bear.

And to the so-called Christians who have been so vocal with their ill-placed support for Trump, I say shame on you. If you have a brain in your head and heart in your chest, you will live to experience that epiphany, and, for your sake, I pray it won’t be too little too late.

In the words of Doris Goodwin, “when you suddenly get the country to realize that something (Trump) is against the ideals that we. . . believe are us. . . we have to change something and make it different, that is the only way we can go forward.” That is an epiphany.

Leticia Maldonado/Stamos

 

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