Assault on democracy only strengthens our commitment to justice: BMSG statement on the events of January 6
Thursday, January 07, 2021We are outraged and horrified by the recent violent assault on the Capitol, as many of our collective fears were realized. We condemn the hatred that fueled the uprising, the ongoing white supremacy that works to normalize such violence, and the abuse of power from the president who knowingly incited an attack against our democracy for political gain.
January 6 was a destabilizing day. Still, we are not going to let the insurrection determine what we get out of this year. The attempt to derail the peaceful transfer of power only reinforced our commitment to make 2021 a year when democracy shines, voices are heard, and social and public health infrastructure are prioritized in ways that will help every community.
Even after mobs stormed the U.S. Capitol, and state capitol buildings across the country, we have much to celebrate. Community organizers — especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and Pacific Islander organizers — have once again shown that people power and strategic organizing can tip the scales toward justice: They mobilized Georgia voters to elect the state’s first Black senator and first Jewish senator. Our country is also poised to swear in its first Black, Indian woman as vice president, and, in a historic selection aimed at addressing environmental racism, a Native American will head the Interior.
The insurrection also highlighted, once again, the critical role of the media in shaping public discourse — and opportunities to improve coverage of white supremacy and the movement for racial justice. For example, news outlets like The New York Times are finally recognizing — and naming — Trump’s obvious attempts to embolden racists rather than sugar-coating his rhetoric and behavior in the name of false balance. The broader journalism community is reflecting on the violent attack and asking important questions, like: How could a mob so easily infiltrate the Capitol building when Black Lives Matter protesters and journalists are beaten and tear-gassed? Why did social media platforms not do more, sooner, to stop the disinformation that helped foment the insurrection? And how can reporters frame events like this to help audiences better understand not only what happened but also the history of how we got to this point? After all, white supremacy is ingrained in our country’s founding.
At BMSG, we are redoubling our efforts to help advocates make compelling cases — in news coverage, before policymakers, and within their communities — to advance equity, justice, and health. We will continue to provide resources and recommendations to advocates and journalists alike; we will keep considering the language we use to ensure that our words align with our values and mission; and we will work to improve our understanding of power and how we communicate about it.
As we move forward, we are encouraged to see that Congress has confirmed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ victory in the general election. We are also heartened to see how many organizations and individuals have taken a strong, vocal stand against white supremacy, called for a peaceful transition, and outlined clear actions we can take on the road toward healing, unity, and health. We look forward to being collaborators and co-travelers on that journey.