Letter: January 6th Thoughts

To the Editor:

The eve of January 6th now carries a profound weight for me—a date that once passed without notice has become a solemn reminder of the fragility of our democracy. Before 2021, I hardly gave a thought to Congress certifying an election; it was a procedural event, devoid of fanfare or personal significance. But that changed in 2021, and now, the memories of that day are etched into my mind and heart as deeply as other national tragedies like 9/11 or Sandy Hook.

The democratic process, which I had taken for granted, now fills me with unease. All because a defeated, twice-impeached president refused to accept his loss. This individual chose to prioritize his ego over the will of the people, over democracy itself. He fueled baseless lies, incited a mob, and set the stage for an attack on the Capitol—an attack that included chants to hang the Vice President and threats against the Speaker of the House.

Now, this same person has been re-elected by nearly half of the population. I cannot understand it, nor do I condone it, but I refuse to mirror the conspiracies, hatred, or calls for violence that have fractured our nation. Instead, I will strive to be a better human being—fighting injustice, speaking truth to lies, and working to bridge the divisions that separate us from one another, whether those divisions are political, cultural, or racial.

And so, with a heavy heart, I will accept the election results—not because I agree with them, but because I believe in democracy, even with all its imperfections.
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Michelle Petz
Newaygo

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