sarahRemain Vigilant
To the Editor:
What I heard during the inauguration speech on Jan. 20 were not words that echoed any sentiment of unity as they were spoken by the new president, who was wearing a purple rather than a bright red tie. The tie was actually blue with red dots, but it gave the illusion of being purple in the same way that the words spoken over it had the illusion of being about a greater America.
The speech began with a denouncement of the previous government, then continued with condemnations of migrants, immigrants, teachers, LGBTQ folks, and anyone who cares about treating all people with dignity. Just moments after he swore to protect and defend the Constitution, he threatened to take away the birthright citizenship that is enshrined in the 14th amendment.
It was a barrage of words designed to encourage those who support division and derision while alarming those who have a different view of the sanctity of humanity. They were designed to confuse and frustrate. They were designed to make us want to tune out and turn off, but we can and should be willing to keep love alive.
We can maintain the three principles of vigilance, which are to show up, listen up, and speak up. When people gather to resist, show up. When people are talking about what is happening to them and others, listen up. When something is causing harm, speak up. This is how love survives.
We can keep love alive even in the face of separation and suffering. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr. we can “hew out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”
Rev. Kenneth P. Langer, minister of the Barre UU church
Letters to the editor represent the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of The Bridge. Submit your letter by email to editor@montpelierbridge.com. Preference is given to submissions by those who live in central Vermont, should not exceed 300 words in length, and may be edited for brevity and accuracy.
