Words Matter: A January 6th Lament
“These tragedies have reminded us that words matter, and
that the power of life and death is in the tongue.”
– Barry Black, Chaplain of the Senate, January 6, 2021
The chaotic coup attempt at The Capitol on January 6th witnessed by the U.S. and throughout the world was simultaneously inevitable and shocking. Not since the War of 1812, when the British attacked the nation’s capital, had the hallowed halls of American Democracy been under attack from those seeking to overthrow the will of the American people. As we reflect on these events, it’s critical to lament.
Words Matter
Words matter. As a pastor and speaker, I spend most of my time engaging with words. As a Christian, words take on divine significance. In the fourth gospel, the apostle John writes, “In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1,14). The Creator did a lot with words. He used His Word to create the world, redeem it, and reveal the Divine reality. Also, in making us in his image, He bestowed humanity with the power to shape reality with our words.
Proverbs 18:21 teaches us that “the tongue has the power of life and death.” The words, along with their tenses, tone, and volume, have the ability to shape realities. The adage “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a fallacy. Words not only break bones, but, as we saw on the 6th of January, they can break windows, break laws, break norms, and shatter lives.
Words matter, which is why the insurrection (defined as a violent uprising against an authority or government) we witnessed with horror was inevitable. And why the events over the last year have been unprecedentedly shocking. Yes, the 2020 Presidential election was not the first time in American history election results were challenged. But in contrast to previous instances in which presidential candidates contested votes or demanded recounts before conceding, we saw words erode trust in the democratic process before the election even began.
Words Have Consequences
It’s a challenge to pinpoint the beginning of the current crisis, but here’s an abbreviated account of the President's words that led to the destructive actions at the Capitol :
2012: Social media posts claiming fraud in President Obama’s re-election.
2016: Blames unfounded election fraud as the reason for losing the popular vote.
September 2020: Accusations of fraud in mail-in voting
Election Day: Despite reality, Trump claimed victory.
Frustratingly, the media’s narrative didn’t help much. Most of the concern and consternation was over Trump’s refusal to concede. But the President’s lack of concession is inconsequential compared to his toxic rhetoric and claims of a national conspiracy that, if true, would be the most scandalous and coordinated crime in American history.
Given the razor-thin margins in critical contested states, it would have been expected for the President to say on election night, “Let’s wait until every vote is counted (and even recounted) before we call the election.” But to declare to all his supporters the election was fraudulent without any evidence is not only an act of poor judgment but also reckless.
Imagine if someone told you a thief was going to break into your house and steal everything you hold dear. Let’s say you were just blocks away from your home, and was told, “The thieves are in your house and stealing from you as we speak!” Many of us when told such a thing would become aggressive and even violent toward those committing said theft. And that’s why the words used to incite the crowd were so dangerous. Those at Trump's “Stop The Steal!” Rally took his words wholesale and believed there were thieves in “their house.” So when commissioned with the words, “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol...You have to show strength, and you have to be strong,” a riot ensued. Regardless of any oblique references made to marching down “peacefully,” the crowd clearly heard the more forceful admonition from those who led them: “Show strength! Trial by Combat!”
Words have consequences. Words incited a beleaguered, angry, and disoriented group, prepared to, in their minds, defend their home at all costs against what they had been told was grand larceny of their democracy. They were wrong, and it was deadly. Many will pay for the rest of their lives because people were not judicious with the words they used. The families of the slain, insurrectionists who will be prosecuted and imprisoned, government officials and their staff who experienced the trauma of an insurrection at their workplace will never be the same, as well as those whose careless words will forever be linked to the violence that horrified the world.
What words can describe the apparent disparities between the law enforcement responses on June 1, 2020, and January 6, 2021? This past summer, peaceful demonstrators gathered at St. John’s Church to protest and advocate justice for George Floyd. They were met with rubber bullets, tear gas, and overwhelming physical force to push them away from a church that was happy to host them. This week, an angry mob, predominantly white mob, scaled the Capitol walls, burst through doors and windows, and triumphantly occupied the seats of power! Where was the National Guard that met Black Lives Matter protesters at the Lincoln Memorial in June? Where was the tear gas and physical force that was used on peaceful demonstrators at St. John's Church after the horrific death of George Floyd? The overt failure of security for an event that was highly likely to end in violence has resulted in several high profile firings of law enforcement. What can one say about living in such an absurd contradiction as a person of color? I have no words.
While we experience the aftermath of the attempted coup, we must grieve, lament, and learn for the future. Contrary to those seeking silver linings and appealing to pollyannaish naivete who decry this tragedy as the work of a few extremists, I’m concerned about our future.
Words Can Bring Life
As Christians, we are taught that words can not only bring death but life. In fact, an essential part of the Christian worldview is the belief that our words can bring life. Proverbs 12:18 teaches, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” I recently experienced the life-giving powers of words myself. After writing a proposal to present solutions on how the predominately white ministry I serve with could more effectively engage the Black community, I received an email accusing me of being deceived by “Critical Race Theory.” The email also implied I was taking the ministry’s focus off its mission with an unbiblical concept of social justice. Their words pierced like a sword. I was exhausted and discouraged until a friend of mine used their tongue to bring healing. He looked me in the eyes and said, “I’m sorry you were told that. You are a godly man, and your fight for justice is righteous and true. I admire that in you. Keep fighting.” I could feel a surge of life and light rekindle in me. His words lifted my countenance and gave me life.
Here are six ways we, as believers, can use our words to build up and not tear down:
Tell the Truth. There is a tendency to hide inconvenient truths that don’t support our narrative or the narratives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. But as believers, we are called to put away falsehood with one another and tell the truth even when there are parts of it that we don’t like or others around us don’t want to hear.
Fact Check. When I write, I tell myself, “Prove it.” Instead of just writing conjecture, I try to find multiple sources to confirm or deny the point I am trying to make. I can’t tell you how many times I deleted a post because I couldn’t find supporting evidence.
Ask Others to Check You and Check Yourself. We all need accountability, especially when it comes to social media. Before you post or write a highly impactful word, run it by a godly friend and take it through the Philippians 4:8 litmus test. Is it true? Is it honorable? Is it just? Is it pure? Is it lovely in the sense that it would be pleasing and acceptable in God’s sight? Are your motives commendable? Will it bring praise to God’s name?
Speak Words of Life. Often, the conversations around us are “death dealing” and an echo chamber of despairing words. Lamenting has its place, but it should ultimately culminate in giving God’s people hope to move forward. When this is absent, seek to speak words of life to encourage and point others to the Reality of all realities.
Speak the Truth in Love. How we proclaim truth matters as much as the truth we proclaim. Speaking the truth in love doesn’t mean water it down, but it does mean that we speak to bring life, not destroy. A good rule of thumb is the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Think of a time when you were wrong. Dead wrong. What would have been the most effective way to help you see your error and correct it? Go and do likewise.
Encourage One Another. In light of January 6th, exhaustion, discouragement, confusion, and hopelessness is in the air. Many are hurting, angry, and scared. We need to speak words of encouragement and hope to one another more than ever before. Like my friend, who looked me in the eye and reminded me of what is right and true, let’s be faithful to do the same for one another.
Words Matter. I hope we all choose to use words to plainly tell the truth, expose how the reckless words used recently have led to death, and speak life to one another.
– Written By Rasool Berry
Bio: Rasool Berry serves as teaching pastor at The Bridge Church in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's degree in Africana Studies and Sociology. He is currently seeking his Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. He hosts the “Where Ya From?” podcast which uses stories to connect us to people applying their faith for social change and “In Pursuit of Jesus”, a travel documentary series in collaboration with Our Daily Bread.