After over a year of dealing with COVID

insurrections like these in South America and the Middle East, yet we have empowered these people to feel as though they can do this. We cannot argue that this is okay, and we cannot validate these people or their ideas. They weren’t “protesters.” They were people who lost an election, and instead of upholding the peaceful transfer of power, they attacked democracy itself.

After these riots, former President Donald Trump was impeached by the House for the second time, and he is currently awaiting a trial in the Senate. We are all collectively healing and struggling to move forward as a country. How do we reconcile our political beliefs yet come together as a united people? Here’s what I believe: Politics is taxes. Politics is foreign policy. Politics is the economy. The right to the pursuit of happiness and the right to equality irrespective of race, sexuality, and gender identity? Not politics. These are human rights. Conflating the two is wrong, and we’re all guilty of this. We all must take the time to listen and learn from one another, but let’s not debate human rights. That’s how we got here in the first place. This year, Ms. Helm brought a photography show to the BGA community. This photography show gives a chance to students, faculty, staff, and even alumni to submit their work. Mrs Helm wanted to give the opportunity of extending the arts program to everyone in the BGA community, not just those who are in the Mary Campbell. Submissions began on January 25th and end on February 12th. So far, there have been many students, middle and upper school, who have submitted work. There have also been many faculty and staff members, including Monica Olaru and Maritza Dreux. A reception took place on January 29th from 4:30 - 6:30 in the Mary Campbell.

*Editor’s Note: Op-Eds solely represent the opinons of the author, not those of BGA or The Echo staff

Evangelene Gallimore

New York Times