This is going to be a long email about our January 6th trauma.

If you’re still reading this, I’m assuming you’re ready. Let’s talk about our trauma. You and me.

Ask yourself, what has our nation been arguing about for the last 3 years? What conversation has been dominating the media, the government, occupying our courts, and our daily conversations? And even separating friends and families?

January 6, 2021.

The ripples from that day still threaten our democracy. The lives of election workers – the backbone of our electoral systems – are being threatened online via hundreds of messages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by those who would disrupt our elections:

“Watch your back.” “I know where you sleep.” “Be afraid.”

Because I speak out about these challenges to our democracy, I get the same threatening messages. “We know where you live.”

Yet MAGA representatives in Congress continue to claim our elections are being rigged. 

The only difference between your January 6th trauma and mine is where we were when we experienced it.

I was at the Capitol immersed in a profane mix of sweat, screams, shrieks, anger, fear, blood, death, broken limbs, spit, hatred, horror, racism, bigotry, and heroism.

Capitol and Washington Police officers fought for our lives, the lives of fellow police officers, and the nation's elected leaders – it didn’t matter if they were a Republican, Democrat or an Independent. They were the men and women we sent to Washington to govern our nation. 

It was our duty to protect them. And our democracy.

While Donald Trump, then our nation’s Commander in Chief, did nothing to help us for three hours after inciting the violence himself – we were beaten bloody. And some of us died. 

Even though my experience looks different from yours, I am first an American citizen. A girl dad. A football lover. A voter. This is my country – our country.

That day was a stain on our nation. And we need to fight like hell to make sure we NEVER repeat a day like that. I’ll continue to use my voice to protect this country. I’ll stand up to the lies, hate, and bigotry. I will always stand my ground to make sure democracy exists. 

Together,

Harry 💙