“We Live Here Now” and Trump’s Retelling of January 6
Dec 12, 2024
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As Trump aims to reshape the narrative of January 6, the podcast delves into the personal stories of those affected by that day. The complexities of community dynamics are examined, reflecting on one family's connection to a victim. Emotional encounters with supporters and the impact of conspiracy theories come to light. Narratives of accountability and differing perspectives swirl in a politically charged atmosphere, illustrating how personal connections are tested amid deep divisions.
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Quick takeaways
The podcast highlights the contrasting narratives surrounding January 6, with Trump framing it as peaceful while others view it as a democratic assault.
A personal encounter with Mickey Withoff reveals the complexities of human relationships amid deeply ingrained political ideologies surrounding January 6.
Deep dives
The Lost Cause Myth and Its Evolution
The reconstruction of the narrative surrounding the Civil War, particularly the lost cause myth, developed gradually among Southerners over several decades. This reinterpretation began without modern communication tools, relying instead on lectures, magazines, and eventually monuments to promote a narrative that favored Southern views of the conflict. The podcast episode highlights how this revisionist history finds echoes in contemporary events, particularly through Donald Trump's rhetoric surrounding January 6 and his claims about those imprisoned for their actions during the Capitol insurrection. The dangers of this myth-making persist as it shapes public perception and influences political narratives today.
Contrasting Stories of January 6
The episode presents two starkly contrasting narratives about January 6, 2021. On one side, there are those like Liz Cheney and Capitol Police officers, who emphasize the day as an assault on democracy, while on the other, Trump and his supporters frame it as a fight for freedom. Trump's latest statements illustrate his reluctance to abandon a narrative that characterizes January 6 as a peaceful event, further complicating the public's understanding of the insurrection. As narratives continue to diverge, the podcast underscores the inherent challenges of reconciling these vastly different truths in a politically charged environment.
Personal Encounters and Neighbor Dynamics
The hosts recount a revealing encounter with their new neighbor, Mickey Withoff, who represents a faction supporting the January 6 insurrectionists. Initial feelings of hostility transform as they learn more about Mickey's personal motivations, including her grief over her daughter Ashley Babbitt's death during the Capitol insurrection. The juxtaposition of their different beliefs fosters a complex dynamic, illustrating the difficulty of navigating personal relationships against a backdrop of divisive political ideologies. This personal narrative allows for an exploration of the human experiences behind the larger political drama, reflecting how everyday interactions can complicate simplistic views of allegiance and enmity.
As Donald Trump returns to the White House, his desire to recast January 6 as a day of “love and peace,” as he called it during his campaign, seems as strong as ever. Earlier this week, he told the NBC reporter Kristen Welker that he would “most likely” pardon Capitol rioters on day one.
This week’s Radio Atlantic shares the first episode of our series about January 6 published just before the 2024 election, called We Live Here Now.
Hanna Rosin and co-host Lauren Ober enter a universe of alternative facts, speaking with J6 prisoners and their families, and following a J6 case on which Ober was a juror. Mostly, though, the series is about their neighbor, who they discovered one day is a crucial character in the retelling of January 6.
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