What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel

 

Publication Date: March 9, 2021

When large historical events happen in America, as Americans, we look to our long time news analysts to use their lived lens and long history observing and reporting on society to make sense of the chaos and give us their take on events as they unfold. Therefore, when the January 6, 2020 insurrection at the US Capitol happened in Washington DC, The Tonight Show Host, Jimmy Fallon, went to revered retired news anchor Dan Rather to both share his observation and give a calming perspective on what he saw. 

Of the insurrection, Rather says, "it was like watching a very bad horror movie." 

I started this graphic novel right after watching his interview and Dan Rather, in that same calming voice that clearly reports out atrocities to democracy is consistent in his message that "if we hold steady, we are going to be ok." (as he keeps humming patriotic tunes like God Bless America "land that I love/Stand beside her and guide her/Through the night with the light from above. . .")

This graphic novel, based on his book of essays by the same title, uses the American fine line drawings of Tim Foley to bring these very relevant essays to younger audiences. As I read, I just felt comfort that although something like this, meaning the storming of the capitol incited by rhetoric from a sitting president, has never happened in US history before, we are going to be ok.

Rather has a historical counter to the day's actions as a result of President Trump's rhetoric inciting violence:

I have seen how a nation can pick itself up and make progress, even at divisive and dysfunctional political moments. . .I have found that the vast majority of men and women, and children I have met over the course of my life are kind and well intentioned. . .For all the stories of misdeeds on which I have reported, there have been many more of heroic actions and communal empathy.

When I find myself a witness to events that I know will have an impact on all of our lives going forward, this book will be a calming beacon through the night to remind us that we are still here, and that what unites us is greater than what divides us. 

I think regarding the move from protest to insurrection by a Trump-fueled mob, Rather, in this book would share this, by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes:

I think we should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we loathe. . .unless they so imminently threaten immediate interference with the lawful and pressing purposes of the law and that an immediate check is required to save the country.

The fact that our senators rallied to return to finish their certification of the votes is definitely the "check required to save the country" and as the days go by, I have been heartened by the quiet stories of "heroic actions and communal empathy" like the staff members who had the foresight to protect and take the ballot box with them, as well as New Jersey representative Andy Kim (D) who saw the desecration of the Capitol and, after he did his job to ratify the vote for President Elect Biden and VP Harris,  grabbed a rubbish bag to help clean up the mess left behind by the looters. 

Final note: I received an advance egalley of this book from Net Galley and the publisher First Second Books. Because of their generosity, I try not post a review more than a month before the scheduled publication date, however, I am publishing early because this graphic novel is so timely, and so important to be in classrooms today. This should be pre ordered, so I am publishing this a couple of months early. This has brought me comfort. I hope it brings students and the teachers who need to lead these difficult conversations in the coming months comfort too.