Yesterday’s Challenge to American Democracy

Yesterday, like many of you, I watched with horror as pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to block the final electoral count. The violence was a shameful assault on the electoral process and the peaceful transfer of power, which are the cornerstones of our democracy. Congress certified the election results early today.

Yesterday’s insurrection was a direct product of the politicians, including Donald Trump, who incited violence and cast doubt on a free and fair election.  We also saw a clear and disturbing difference between how White people and Black people are treated by the police in our country. This emphasizes a continued need to address the concerns and recommendations raised over the summer by Black Lives Matter protesters.

Yesterday’s events show that our democracy is a work in progress that demands efforts from all of us to succeed. Our role, as a University, is to continue to ask the difficult questions, encourage the respectful exchange of ideas, and remain committed to the pursuit of social justice.

Roosevelt University is carefully monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond, should the violence or protests spread to other cities such as Chicago. If you are feeling scared or overwhelmed, please take advantage of our virtual counseling services.