I hope I don’t stray too far out of my lane as a 30-something middle-class white girl, but this needs to be said. If black, or brown people were the instigators in the attack on the Capitol yesterday they would’ve been shot on sight without a second thought. They probably wouldn’t have even gotten that far before being wounded, killed or arrested in scenes that have been played out with tragic ends far too many times.

Instead the mob that attacked yesterday is legitimized today. The racism, bigotry, and xenophobia that has been building for four years has been given a voice. It’s okay now to doubt the truth, and bury your head in the sand. It’s okay to demonize your neighbour because they look or worship differently. It’s okay to hate someone that believes in different politics, or expresses their love differently to you.

Because that’s the America we face now; a shell of itself. And it’s the America that President Elect Joe Biden, and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris are due to inherit in 13 days. What a mountain to climb they have now in trying to restore faith in America’s institutions. They’ll have to fight against hate as well too now, because it’s all out in the open.

The saying “crossing the Rubicon” refers to when Julius Caesar led his troops across the Rubicon river and attacked the Roman Empire. That’s what happened yesterday. A line was crossed, and the world is now unable go back. America stands before us; its flaws laid bare for all to see. The shining city on the hill no longer, and the promise of democracy left unfulfilled.