Hello Readers, it’s Co-Editor Gail Again.
Whether you live in the United States or not, you are probably aware that today, January 20th 2021 is Inauguration Day for the incoming Biden-Harris administration. You are probably also very aware of the domestic terrorism that took place on the Capitol building back on the 6th resulting in the Inauguration being forced to have an extremely large military presence and the tightest security imaginable.
This was supposed to be a joyous sort of day and maybe in some ways it still will be. But given that we know that the same groups that stormed the capitol have publicly planned to disrupt the Inauguration as well as position themselves at state capitols in all 50 states, I don’t think it’s unfair to say that we will all be watching with bated breath and a little bit of dread.
I understand that the Biden-Harris administration wants to assert strength and show the domestic terrorists that they didn’t “win” on the 6th. But there is a part of me that wishes they valued absolute definite safety over appearances and would do it privately, indoors without all the fanfare and pageantry. Again, I get it, but it still leaves me fearing what could happen.
As I have mentioned before, I am Jewish. When you are Jewish you live with a fear in the back of your head at all times that someone wants you dead simply for existing.
Once when I was in my Hebrew school confirmation class as a teen, I expressed my fear that anti-semitism (and white supremacy in general but I didn’t have the words yet) was on the rise. The rabbi and my classmates tried to assure me I didn’t have to worry about that. Every day since our soon to be ex-president came down that escalator to the insurrection on the 6th I was proven right and I hate that I was right. My concern now, is that this is probably only the beginning.
I cannot express enough how gut wrenching and terrifying it is to see white supremecist Nazis breaking into the Capitol wearing shirts that say “Camp Aushwitz Staff” and “ 6 Million Wasn’t Enough”. We need to call them what they are and take their threats seriously because we have seen what happens when we don’t. We need to hold them and all of their enablers accountable.
It is an insult to tell the oppressed to join in unity with their oppressor.
I am sorry for the darkness of this post but this is an important and ongoing conversation we need to have and it is a culmination of everything we have dealt with these past 5 years that are not going to just disappear with a new presidency. It needs to be actively fought against from all angles.
What I really want to say is, be gentle with yourself today. Even if everything with this transition of power goes off without a hitch (hopefully it will). Your feelings of fear, joy, sadness, skepticism, relief, whatever they may be are valid.
If necessary, surround yourself with things that make you feel calm and comforted. Whether it be a sentimental item, treating yourself to a tasty food or drink or even taking a break to distract yourself with something that feels like candy for your brain.
For example, I am going to wear my favorite Hamsa necklace. There’s nothing particularly fancy or special about it. I think I got it at Kohls. But it’s reliable and sturdy and I picked it out myself as a kid so it feels like something that is truly mine and I just think it’s pretty.
Hamsas are a special symbol in many middle eastern religions and for me as a Jew, it is one of good fortune and protection. I’m not particularly religious, but I hold this symbol sacred and it makes me feel safe after anti-semetic tragedies like the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting back in 2018 and the Capitol Insurrection three weeks ago.
I hope whatever object(s) you choose soothes you and eases you through this day that is sure to be loaded with complex emotions. Just remember that like our current submissions theme, starting today, we are moving forward.
I’d like to leave you with this song from the Broadway Musical Pippin. I think it conveys the ideal tone for this day.
Gail Bello is a poet and playwright from Waltham, Massachusetts. She graduated in 2019 with a BFA in Creative Writing and a minor in Theatre from The University of Maine at Farmington. Find her previous publications at https://thaumaturgedramaturge.wordpress.com and follow her on Twitter @AquajadeGail