By Peyton Dickerson, Online Editor-in-Chief
Protesters breached the US Capitol today as members of the Senate and House of Representatives met to certify the Electoral College votes submitted by each state, creating a wave of chaos and fear to kick off 2021.
As videos surfaced online of crowds of protesters waving flags from the Capitol steps shifted to others pushing their way through police officers in violent clashes, along with multitudes of anxious posts filling social media timelines, it was almost impossible to escape the knowledge of what was happening in the country.
What did students think of this major event? Has it dampened the spirits of students on the cusp of being eligible to vote, or students heavily involved in politics who have participated in rallies themselves about #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter and the recent elections?
“What happened at the Capitol today was absolutely disgusting,” senior Ava O’Neill said. “I would consider myself more of a conservative – and I, too, was a bit disappointed in losing the Senate today (with news of Georgia’s second Senate race being called for the Democratic challenger), but it is not in my rights to breach the Capitol and cause havoc.”
Regardless of political affiliation, most observers can agree on one thing: The situation at the Capitol today was not handled correctly.
“I hated how most guards of the Capitol just stood there making no effort to control the situation,” O’Neill said. “I was very turned off from politics today.”
Although the current state of the country may have students questioning their interest in politics, others find motivation amid the chaos.
“After (the Capitol breach), I’m even more ready to be able to participate in politics,” senior Emma Hartnett said.
Although Hartnett is baffled by the current state of the country, she stands strong in her belief that those responsible for the violent breach should be held accountable.
“Let me be clear, I do not believe in terrorizing the United States’ politicians, or vandalizing a federal building,” Hartnett said. “I believe in human rights and peaceful transitions of power, always.”
As reports continue to flow in from Washington, controversy between activists over who is to blame for the circumstances have arisen.
“I think everything happening right now is the direct fault of Donald Trump and the Republican Congress members who furthered this narrative of a stolen election,” recent First Flight graduate Dylan Custer said.
As for O’Neill, she believes the blame can be placed on both Republicans and Democrats.
“I believe the left and right wings have both shown an unreasonable amount of immaturity,” O’Neill said.
Though Custer is steadfast in her belief of who’s to blame, she is equally steadfast in her belief of how politics should be treated.
“I feel like politics are more important than ever now. I know a lot of people who are over politics because they can’t handle what’s going on,” Custer said. “For me, personally, it’s important due to the fact that people can get away with this.”
As discouraging as the day’s events turned out to be, reports surfaced early Wednesday evening that members of Congress were coming back into session to continue counting the electoral votes. Despite the circumstances, those elected officials did not give up on their mission. And it’s safe to say that the next generation of voters has not given up on politics, yet, either, and that hope remains for the future.
“It’s important to participate in politics one way or another,” Hartnett said. “That’s what makes this country what it is – people who speak up for what they believe.”
Senior Peyton Dickerson can be reached at 21dickersonpe28@daretolearn.org.
