Dear Editor,
The riot that erupted and ran through the Capitol in Washington, District of Columbia, in the United States of America (U.S.A), sent shockwaves throughout the world and left many in a state of disbelief. It was really like a smouldering volcano and its manifestation should not have been met unprepared.
After all, we have faced the unorthodox and appalling behaviour of Donald Trump who has been like a bubbling cauldron. When he is challenged, he degenerates into uncontrollable megalomania. Faced with the relinquishment of power, we should have expected this most diabolical act from him.
What is surprising is that the highest institution of government in the U.S.A. could have been stormed and entered by an unruly mob. We would have thought that even an army would have been incapable of such an act. The mayor of Washington had said that she had the National Guard on standby, as she anticipated unrest from Trump’s supporters. It seems that they were not strategically placed nearby. Folly! The sergeants at arms of the Senate and the House of Representatives also deserve culpability. Also, why weren’t the police able to halt the mayhem before it became uncontrollable? Five people died and that compounds the sordidness of the event. Members of Trump’s Republican Party are also blameworthy, as they supported his erratic behaviour throughout the tenure of his Presidency.
The equally egregious desecration of the hallowed halls of justice and the seat of government, will be etched in people’s memories. The sanctity, reliability and necessary rigidity of government has been dismantled and that is hard to restore. Eternal vigilance by the U.S.A’s government will have to be displayed to restore confidence and moral leadership.
This insurrection was unfortunate but revelatory in various ways. It was a stark revelation of the bias and misconception held by whites against blacks that blacks particularly are violent people. The police did not react with the alacrity and harshness towards the mob as they did to the protesters in the “Black lives matter” movement. It has been said that is because they don’t feel as threatened by white people as they do by blacks. Is that the reason or is it blatant racism and support of the status quo?
I challenge the viewpoint emanating from some quarters that the U.S.A. may never recover its loftily held position as the world’s leader or at least as a primary leader. They have overcome tremendous challenges before. The words and actions of the Democrats and even the Republicans after the riot, have shown strong leadership and adherence to the Constitution. They continued in their task and mission to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. The U.S.A. has always felt that they are immovable as the world’s moral and economic leader. Indeed, their accomplishments secured admiration from the rest of the world. However, many who feel they are immune or invincible are eventually surprised to know they are not.
Trump has not failed to make an impact on the U.S.A and even the world. It is a lesson for people to carefully choose their leaders and severely condemn the dereliction of their duties and unethical behaviour. Trump has acted many times against the respected principles enshrined in the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
A common thought running through the minds of level- headed Americans was probably succinctly and poignantly expressed by Chellie Pingree, the congresswoman from Maine who said : “ I just look forward to the day we can restore our democracy and remind ourselves that, you know, we’re all in this together, and these are important principles to uphold. This just doesn’t feel like America right now.”
Yours faithfully,
Conrad Barrow
