Institute News
Yesterday, Today & Moving Forward: Zabel Responds to the Events of January 6
Today, many of us started our work day with disappointingly familiar feelings—if you are like me, it was a mix of fatigue, anger, disillusionment, frustration, and impotence. We witnessed a violent and oppressive attempt to disrupt the election and our democratic process; a frustratingly permissive response from much of law enforcement; blatant acts of racism and other forms of hate speech; and, the ongoing impact of an intentional and perpetual campaign of disinformation.
Last night, someone on social media asked, “Where are the helpers?” The answer from a friend was, look out the window and in the mirror. Others chimed in with their response: Look at the people who protested peacefully since last spring. Look at the Senate staff who carefully ensured the electoral votes were removed from the Chamber. Look at leaders from both parties who sent support to DC and will continue to do so. Look at the people wearing their masks. Look at the people who continue to show up to do their jobs, whether in health care, education, local and state government, or Congress.
At The Institute, we are all leaders. As such, we will continue to elevate the voices of children, youth, and families, and, in particular, those whose voices are most frequently silenced or marginalized. We will continue to promote information that uses the best data and research available in service of our commitment to social justice to create a more equitable world.
I truly do believe that a better day is coming. At his inauguration in 2009, President Obama said, “With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter.”
I encourage you to hold space for your feelings. To be helpers we must also continue to take care of ourselves and our families. Please check in on each other in the following days.
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant. I believe that even amid today’s mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow." —Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964
Michelle Zabel Assistant Dean & Director The Institute for Innovation & Implementation
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