Democracy Prevails

Yesterday we witnessed one of the darkest and most disturbing days in American history. Not since the War of 1812 has our Capital been attacked. Witnessing a mob incited by the President of the United States marching through the Rotunda with the Confederate Flag was repulsive, un-American and must be condemned with the strongest possible words and actions.

 The nation has always had demagogue politicians who care for nothing but their own power, but this time it is different. In many ways, this was not a surprising conclusion after four years of “alternative facts” promoted by this President and his allies in the right wing media in the name of power and profits. Racists, immoral politicians, and particularly social media all have blood on their hands. When non-stop lies, grossly illegal acts and an ethically bankrupt President becomes entertainment, used to create ratings and is seen as normal, what should we expect? As Americans and public relations professionals we need to do better, we need to speak truth to power, we need to use our unique platform to communicate in an honest, open and direct fashion. We can’t shy away from controversy when the truth is at stake, and we must speak loud and proud when our values are threatened.

 As counselors, we need to use this time to help our clients lead the debate and to make our clients part of the solution. As you have heard us say many times, the era of the silent CEO is over. Consumers and stakeholders expect, frankly demand that corporate America take the lead in solving big, complex issues. Stakeholders will long remember what corporate and political leadership did … or did not do… during this unprecedented time of COVID, income inequality, racial injustice and political polarization. We need to work with each other and our clients to bring back a shared dialogue--one based on truth as the foundation of all communications, and led with purpose, not just profits.

 Listening to the nation’s leaders speak from the floor of the Senate last night, I was particularly struck by the works of Senator Mitt Romney when he said, “The best way we can show respect for the voters who are upset is by telling them the truth. That is the burden, and the duty, of leadership. The truth is that President-elect Biden won this election. President Trump lost. Scores of courts, the President’s own Attorney General, and state election officials both Republican and Democrat have reached this unequivocal decision.

  We must not be intimidated or prevented from fulfilling our constitutional duty. We must continue with the count of electoral college votes. In light of today’s sad circumstances, I ask my colleagues: Do we weigh our own political fortunes more heavily than we weigh the strength of our Republic, the strength of our democracy, and the cause of freedom? What is the weight of personal acclaim compared to the weight of conscience?”

 The good news is that yesterday proved that Democracy is stronger than those lies, and good people of both political parties can come together when the future of our nation is truly at stake. Now, each of us has to decide what we are going to do to contribute to the solution and to heal a very divided country.