Pipe bombs, broken windows, Nazi flags, Confederate flags, a hangman’s noose, and so much more in Washington, D.C. For people of faith, Epiphany (January 6) wasn’t characterized by frankincense as much as by tear gas. Not characterized by Herod killing innocent children, but by paramilitary domestic terrorists climbing walls, breaking windows, and storming the Capitol. The day after, on Thursday, I took part in a discussion with 53 private college presidents on the horrible events that occurred. As we discussed the shocking display of violence and vandalism, it was and still is hard to believe that this is where the road has led us—a siege on our Capitol and on the very democracy being conducted inside the complex.
It was a surreal day, made all the more surreal by the recognition that if these insurrectionists or rioters had been people of color, our history has shown that they likely would have faced a much harsher response.
Discord is inevitable; Jefferson and Madison expected it and accounted for it. However, disorder and violence is not.
Like many of you, I feel grief, pain, and anger at this assault. I also feel resolve about who we—as a university—are called to be in the middle of all of this.
Civic engagement is a pillar of our University mission. How we help students become engaged citizens is important. We need to be a community that continues to promote productive political participation, meaningful dialogue, and conscientious dissent.
There are different visions of what it means for America to be great. To love this nation is to respect the people and laws that have been voted for by the people. We know this at VWU, and we will continue to promote and affirm our commitment to justice, hope, and peace for all.
From Inauguration Day (January 20) through mid-March, the Neil Britton Gallery in the Hofheimer Library along with the Robert Nusbaum Center will be hosting the
Unity Flag Project, artwork from around the nation that focuses on what Americans have in common, and on what the word “united” means in our nation’s name. Across campus—in classes and co-curricular events—students will be coming together to discuss what it means to be American.
During a time when the fragility of democracy has been clearly exposed, we need to re-commit ourselves to helping students become engaged citizens and responsible leaders.
