January 6th in much of the Latino world is a day of celebration and gift-giving. It commemorates the worship of the Baby Jesus by the Magi Kings who brought exotic gifts that confirm the nature of the Savior.
On an opposite scale of values, this day also represents infamy, as democracy and the legacy of freedom, rule of law and the will of the people as expressed by their vote was almost taken away. “On January 6, 2021 the United States Capitol Building in Washington D.C., was attacked by a mob of supporters of the then-U. S. President Donald Trump, two months after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.”
On January 6, 1995, I woke up to the sound of firecrackers and a parade in the village of Flores in the middle of Lake Peten Itza in Northern Guatemala. They were celebrating the date of the arrival of the Three Wise Men that came to honor Baby Jesus by gift-giving just like we do in our traditional Christmas.
Before December 25th this past year, I had a conversation with a friend from northern Veracruz in Mexico about Christmas and the various ways of observing the day among the different communities of Latin America. We agreed that most families begin the festivities on the 24th and have their children stay up until midnight when the presents are distributed.
He reminded me that where he comes from, gift-giving is celebrated on January 6th rather than December 25th as done by other parts of the country. He also feels it is more appropriate as worshiping Christ and bringing gifts was the mission of the Magi Kings.
January 6th came again this past Saturday and caused me to also reflect on the gift of freedom to our country that was in play on that day in 2021. We are still suffering from the results of the horrible moment as Trump, the leader of that tragic event, is poised to have a most significant role in the coming presidential election.
So far, 1,237 of those that participated in the takeover of the Capitol have been charged. More than 718 have pleaded guilty and about 459 have been sentenced to prison.
Donald Trump himself has been charged with 4 crimi- nal counts specifically related to the events of that day. They are conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy against rights, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and obstructing an official proceeding.
In addition, Trump has 87 more criminal charges pend- ing in 3 other jurisdictions. His frontrunner status as a Republican candidate for President holds out the possibility that, if elected, he may walk away from accountability for wrong doing.
Donald Trump’s efforts to delay the trials as an accused criminal are connected to the same goal of getting elected so that he can avoid a verdict that could send him to prison. It is ironic that his two major competitors in the Republican Primary, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, are committed to pardoning Trump if elected.
Pearl Harbor got us into World War II. 9/11 got us into extended wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the Middle East.
January 6th is somewhat different because it was an attack from within, by our own people. For that reason it is much more dangerous as it expresses a growing lack of belief in who we are.
In many places in the world, January 6th has been a time of giving to others. It should never be about removing our freedom.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of laVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to News@lavozcolorado.com.
