The former first lady offered a lengthy message on Thursday, referencing the mass riots that took place in Washington, D.C., and looking onward to the future of the United States. Michelle Obama released a statement on Thursday referencing the violent riots that took place this week at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where massive groups of pro-Trump supporters tried to thwart a peaceful transfer of power to incoming President-elect Joe Biden. As lawmakers sheltered in place and evacuated, the rioters smashed windows, broke into offices and displayed angry behavior that resulted in 1,100 District of Columbia National Guard members being mobilized to support law enforcement and control the escalating scene. Trump, who had, earlier on Wednesday, egged on the rioters, eventually urged them to “go home” and the Capitol was secured. In her message, the former first lady said that her heart “had fallen harder and faster than I can remember.” She wrote that she watched the events unfold, “a gang — organized, violent, and mad they’d lost an election — laid siege to the United States Capitol.” “I hurt for our country,” Obama said, adding that she wishes she had the solutions to make things better. “Now is the time for those who voted for this president to see the reality of what they’ve supported — and publicly and forcefully rebuke him and the actions of that mob.” The riots left Obama with many questions about the future of the country, particularly its security, extremism and propaganda. She focused on one question that she has been unable to shake: “What if these rioters had looked like the folks who go to Ebenezer Baptist Church [the Atlanta church where Martin Luther King Jr. was pastor, and currently led by Senator-elect Raphael Warnock] every Sunday? What would have been different?” Toward the end of the statement, Obama commented on the work that now must be done to restore peace and repair what is broken, which she acknowledged is not the work of any one individual or political party. “It’s up to each of us to do our part,” she wrote. “To reach out. To listen. And to hold tight to the truth and values that have always led this country forward. Read Obama’s entire statement below. I woke up yesterday elated by the news of Reverend Raphael Warnock’s election victory. He’ll be Georgia’s first Black senator, and I was heartened by the idea that the Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church—the home parish of Dr. King and a spiritual and organizational hub during the Civil Rights Movement—would be representing his state in the United States Senate. In just a few hours, though, my heart had fallen harder and faster than I can remember. Like all of you, I watched as a gang— organized, violent, and mad they’d lost an election—laid siege to the United States Capitol. They set up gallows. They proudly waved the traitorous flag of the Confederacy through the halls. The URBAN EXPERIENCE | 2021 39
40 Publizr Home