Friend,

Since the insurrectionist actions at the Capitol last week, we keep seeing confusion around how we got here, with people claiming “this isn’t who we are” and “we’re better than this”.

Well, unfortunately, we’re here to tell you right now that this is exactly who we are.

For so many of us, this is the America we know — one filled with racism, hate, and violence. So, no, we were not blindsided last Wednesday, and honestly, our country right now is not better than this.

Claiming the election was stolen and that it was up to the people to use violence to overturn the results is not some fringe movement found only deep on the internet — it’s found everywhere, even among people in the government.

Let’s be real with each other: if the President and multiple members of Congress are responsible for fanning the flames that led to the riots and violence and have been encouraging and building relationships with many of the planners of the attack, how can this not be who we are?

Just because you personally feel you are better than this (and you probably are!), it does not mean that our country is.

And let’s be clear: this chapter does not end with Trump out of office, whether he was removed or his term ends — he is a symptom, not the cause.

We can impeach Trump, remove him from office, but if we do not find a path forward that goes beyond consequences for just one man, this can and will happen again. The rhetoric — often racist and hateful — that encouraged the participants in the attack will not just go away.

And that’s why we want to hear from you, friend.

One organization, one person cannot move this country in a new direction alone. We want your opinions and perspectives on what should happen next — click here to take our survey >>

Thanks,

The Whole Team @ The Southern Strategy