Inauguration was a hopeful day; a celebration of what’s possible when we wholly embrace the width and breadth of our democracy and a reminder that patriotism is based on caring for our fellow citizens. Now, we begin the task of coming together.
Inauguration was a hopeful day; a celebration of what’s possible when we wholly embrace the width and breadth of our democracy and a reminder that patriotism is based on caring for our fellow citizens. Now, we begin the task of coming together.
According to Forbes magazine Sept. 2, 2020, 56% of Republicans followed the QAnon theory that there were elites, known as “the Deep-State,” conspiring to take over the government. Many Republicans were convinced that on Jan. 20, Trump would declare martial law to retain power and save America from these evil forces. But that didn’t happen. Will millions of Americans come to accept that there are unreliable websites with ulterior motives circulating fiction?
Media, politicians and the Internet created a narrative intended to make people fear that their rights were being denied. Unregulated sources claimed COVID-19 was no worse than the flu and it was an impingement on personal freedom to have to wear masks. Numerous sources whipped up fear of voter fraud and people losing their right to a fair election. Both assertions have been factually debunked. Will millions of people now accept the truth?
Millions of American believed in the “March to Save America.” They’d been convinced to “save” America from immigrants, from Black people daring to come into their suburban neighborhoods or from religions other than Christianity taking over. Patriotism was defined as fighting to save the classic white male Christian model of society. Extremist Christian groups, white supremacy groups and big donor conservative groups all joined in this message. Will millions of Americans understand that the message was meant to create division?
One of the biggest hurdles to accomplishing unity is the phrase “obsessive Trump haters” unfortunately used in the Jan. 18 National Views editorial. Pushing this idea that anyone trying to clarify issues is just saying things to hurt Trump is why so many Trump supporters refused to listen or pay attention to factual reality. And the article’s mention of the inflammatory idea that the Democrats are choosing to pursue impeachment for “drama” is one more example of how Republicans talk out of both sides of their mouth about unity.
Let us hope we can turn the corner from this madness by helping people understand how unverified and insidious information, streaming as fact or truth, drove this country apart. And how actions of good faith are the only thing that’s going to bring us together.
Martha Hodges is a resident of Kailua-Kona.
