I wrote this to my mom, dad, and brother 4 years ago in the days following January 6, 2021. I was motivated to connect with them by a sense of moral seriousness. I actually called it the Holy Spirit in the letter. It did not go well. I will post their replies and provide context in the coming days to weeks. Thanks for reading and thanks for your support.
If you have read “A Conversation with MAGA Mommy” you may recall my mentioning this attempt at a conversation.
It has been eleven days since the violent siege of the Capitol of the United States by Trump supporters in a failed attempt to overturn a fair election and to take control of this nation's government by deadly violence. I have wondered what you think of this. I've wrestled with the impulse to share numerous articles, essays, photos, and videos. Over and over I have had the strong impulse to write to you about how all this makes me feel - how scared it makes me for us and for [my wife and child]. I felt compelled to put into words how, based on my own reading of history and the writings from those who take the signposts of history seriously, I could see that Trumpism would lead to exactly this. That nagging impulse hasn't gone away so here we are. Let's call that impulse to connect with you over this tragedy a movement of the Holy Spirit. Let's proceed from there with love as best we can.
What do you perceive to have happened last Wednesday? Feel free to write or call. This is an invitation to a discussion that I pray is occurring between family members, friends, and communities all over the nation as I believe it may save lives.
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces before pushing past law enforcement and barriers to enter the Capitol. Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images
You must understand that this was being planned for weeks and months (if not years) in advance and had the blessing and participation of various Trump loyalists ranging from senators to mayors to capitol police. The deranged ideologies, distortions of biblical prophecy, and right-wing conspiracies of Qanon paired with the ever-simmering white supremacy (what Proud Boys call "Western Chauvinism") have reached hatred's boiling point. The intoxicating aroma of racism has once again reached those who have been eagerly awaiting it and has infiltrated the ranks of some of the highest offices in the land - senators, congress members, secretary of state, senior advisor to the White House, etc. - and has brought to life a sinister and destructive movement of white-nationalism that makes for an easy comparison to the initial phases of the worst of the world's ethnonationalist movements throughout history. The most direct and obvious comparison to be made is that of the Confederacy. The flag of human subjugation and brutality flies high once again. There are those in this nation that simply cannot countenance the bold assertion that black lives matter.
The violent storming and looting of the U.S. Capitol: the nooses, gallows, and crosses; the bludgeoning of a police officer to death with a fire extinguisher while the "Blue Lives Matter" flag flew overhead; the pipe bombs, zip-ties, and live tweeting by a U.S. senator the location of the speaker of the house - this was merely a field test. It will not only embolden those who wish to carry out these sort of attacks in their state, county, or city, but it will also serve as a lesson plan. This will happen again and they will not make the same mistakes. Pray that I'm wrong.
I encourage you to please have a look at this extended live footage of the attack. It is 12+ minutes long and (fair warning) contains profanity and violence. I would like to draw your attention particularly to about 8:30 in the video as it provides the clearest glimpse of the oxygen that allows this fire to rage.
Jon thsnk you for your comment, but especially thank you for the link to your post. I restacked it, and as I said with an accompanying note, your piece is as powerful as it is personal. Extremely well done, and thank you for sharing
Jon, I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the letters in this series. I recently kicked off a very similar email thread with my parents (after a disappointing attempt at a conversation in Dec 2020 and subsequent years of silence on the topic) and it also went poorly. I've been feeling so alone in my angst and it's validating to see others with the same struggle.
Jon thsnk you for your comment, but especially thank you for the link to your post. I restacked it, and as I said with an accompanying note, your piece is as powerful as it is personal. Extremely well done, and thank you for sharing
Jon, I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the letters in this series. I recently kicked off a very similar email thread with my parents (after a disappointing attempt at a conversation in Dec 2020 and subsequent years of silence on the topic) and it also went poorly. I've been feeling so alone in my angst and it's validating to see others with the same struggle.