BUSTH Dean Statement on January 6 US Capitol Attack
Dear School of Theology Community,
Even as I await the public announcement of my deanship (which officially began this month), I want to uphold the important role the school has played in speaking out concerning major events. And there was a major event this past Wednesday with the storming of our nation’s capitol by rioters protesting the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
In a time where understandings and practices of American democracy are being challenged, it is crucial more than ever to defend and preserve the peaceful, democratic processes of this nation. I have four things I want to state.
First, I condemn the violent occupation of the US Capitol Building as inconsistent with the principles of American democracy.
Second, I grieve for the death of the police officer and all deaths related to the riots. I extend my gratitude for Officer Sicknick’s service and offer my sympathy and prayers to the families in grief.
Third, I grieve the notable discrepancies between responses to this riot (comprised predominantly of white Americans) and the more heavy-handed responses to Black Lives Matter protests over this past summer. There are a number of injustices that happened on January 6, and we should not lose sight of the several layers of injustices at play.
Lastly, I lament the increasing chasms of our nation, and I grieve the fact that they are too often mirrored in churches and faith communities today. I exhort persons of faith, churches, and faith communities to take up the hard, beautiful, and fragile call to pursue justice with peace, seek righteousness with mercy, to love one’s enemies and uphold and affirm the humanity of every human being. Communities and persons of faith are called to be people of compassion, even as they seek to speak for truth and justice. Such compassion and humility deeply wedded to conviction and action are needed even more so when disagreements threaten to turn ugly and violent. In the face of the violence on January 6 and violent actions past and future, may the church and persons and communities of faith be even more vigilant in embodying peaceful action towards the thriving of all human beings that we may dwell in peace and seek the peace and welfare of the city (Jeremiah 29:7).
May the community of STH be a community of prayer at this time. May it also continue to be a community of compassion who embodies peaceful witness and action for justice and restoration.
G. Sujin Pak, Dean of the School of Theology