JANUARY 11, 2020
We are in an extremely fraught and poignant time in our nation’s history. Last week, the U.S. Capitol was attacked in a deadly insurrection. Today, the president was impeached for the second time. One week from today, the 46th president of the U.S. will be sworn into office. In the first edition of Comm(Unity) of the year, we address what happened at the Capitol and its global consequences.
Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol
A statement — One week ago today, we saw the U.S. Capitol attacked and desecrated. The violent insurrection was a direct attack on the very foundation of American democracy. In the days since, we have been told to expect more violence to come.
It was a deadly and heartbreaking day for our republic. We saw plainly where the converging forces of misinformation, hyper-partisanship, white supremacy, and rampant conspiracy have brought us. The stark difference in the treatment of insurrectionists last week and Black Lives Matter protesters this summer once again exposed systemic racism in our nation.
This is not a time for blind hope nor condemning and moving on; this is a moment for action and work.
As a civil society, we have power to address some of the root causes of last week’s deadly insurrection. We can meet misinformation with fact. We can break up partisan echo chambers with diverse, informed perspectives. We can confront white supremacy with transformative justice. We can expose conspiracy theories through context, community, and truth.
This is not a quick solution, but it is essential work and it’s worth doing. It’s an effort in which you are already invested as a member of the Council.
Last week’s events have global consequences. The attack on the Capitol not only made our nation less safe, it made the world less safe. Images of the U.S. Capitol building, besieged and overrun, furthers the interests of authoritarians and extremists around the world.
How we as citizens respond to this attack will also have global consequences.The challenge before us is clear. Together, as individuals, as a community, and as a country, this is our moment to meet.
We have a lot of work to do.
—
Megan Clark Torrey, CEO
Weekly Article Roundup
This week’s article roundup brings you global takes and analysis on the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and its ripple effects around the world:
A hallmark of U.S. diplomacy promoting democracy abroad – but can we pursue these global ambitions when we can’t even protect it at home?
Check out how perceptions are divorced from realities in the U.S.
Authoritarian regimes around the world are trying to take advantage of the current turmoil with state-run media outlets joining the commentary
What is the best way to combat these anti-democratic narratives?
It’s no secret that the world has eyes on the United States at all times, but take a closer look at other nations’ responses to the U.S. Capitol riots
See how global newspapers chronicled the events unfolding at home
World leaders live tweeted and more while witnessing protesters storm the Capitol, proving that such attacks can happen anywhere
Read more about how German leaders and others reacted to the news
China’s state media published editorials claiming the United States is experiencing an “internal collapse” due to poor leadership
It highlights the different language we use when describing violent protests
The U.S. Capitol riots caused some living in Latin America and Miami to recall the chaos and political turmoil of their homelands
Dive deeper into what causes this sense of déjà vu
Weekly Entertainment
REC. BY COLE M.
Check out this book that explains how migration is not a source of fear, but a source of hope
REC. BY JOSEPH C.
Bill Gates and Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions
Bill Gates teams up with Rashida Jones to ponder major questions on climate change, lying and more
REC. BY ESAM B.
Watch this film based on the 2016 Battle of Mosul where a policeman joins forces with an Iraqi squadron to liberate Mosul from IS insurgents
REC. BY EMILY F.
This Instagram page’s owners are based out of Uganda and have great education and advocacy tools and resources
REC. BY MEGHANN L.
A pupusa is the national dish of El Salvador and is a thick griddle cake made from masa harina. Feel free to experiment with the fillings, too!
Have a recommendation?
We want to feature your favorites. Throughout 2021, we’ll feature more of your recommendations throughout Comm(Unity). If you’ve watched a new documentary, read an article that stuck with you, or prepared a global dish, share it with your fellow members! Submit your recommendations any time through the form below to be featured in an upcoming edition.
Submit a recommendation
Member Micro Interview
Check out our new bi-weekly micro interview introducing you to fellow CTWAC community members. We ask members to share brief responses about their lives, experiences and travels!
Christian Jepsen
What global issue are you most interested in at the moment?
C: I am most interested in global migration policy and climate change adaptation. As sea levels rise and temperatures fluctuate we will see more people displaced from their homes. The two issues are now tied.
What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
C: I am looking forward to the U.S. rejoining the Paris Accords and taking more refugees. Personally, I am looking forward to getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and to helping create America’s new “normal”.
What’s your favorite place in the world and why?
C: It depends: Paris has the best cheese. Costa Rica has the best beaches. Washington, DC has the best museums. Niantic, CT has the best bookstores. Travel is incomplete without friends though, which I have missed in the pandemic.
Weekly Cartoon
Check in next week for another CTWAC exclusive cartoon:
Our organization exists as a resource for citizens to understand what’s going on in the world. We, along with fellow civil society organizations, have a crucial role to play in combating the forces of misinformation and division that led to last week’s violent insurrection.
To state it plainly: facts, data, and truth matter. Rules and norms matter.
As truth is being threatened and norms are being challenged, we remain steadfast in our mission to present the best information about the most important global issues directly to you. As always, please reach out to me anytime.
Megan Clark Torrey
CEO
Image Credits: [1] U.S. Capitol: Reuters; [2] Senator Chris Murphy: murphy.senate.gov; [3] Capitol protests: Jim Urquhart/Reuters; [4] Footprint: The Next Great Migration cover image; [5] Amal: Sanctuary Kitchen: sanctuarykitchen.org/meet-our-cooks; [6] Christian Jepsen: provided by Christian; [7] Cartoon: Caroline Schaefer; [8] Megan Clark Torrey: Caroline Schaefer
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