Capitols have been stormed before.

The Americans wanted democracy in Iraq. We invaded. We killed Saddam, we gave them democracy. What did they do? They stormed their capitol. And guess what? Not a single American was killed. We gave them democracy. We gave them freedom. We offered them the chance to show the world how they want to rule their country. And they stormed their capitol. But that’s not the point. The point is simple. In all of the superhero comic books we have read, we zoned in on Captain America. Not because we liked their storylines or wanted to watch their movies. Not because their rivals, the Avengers had cooler powers or their suits were more important. No. We loved Captain America because we loved the idea of a nation built on the principles of freedom and a hero that dedicated its life to the safety and class of its people. He was the hero that we wish we could be. The American we wished we could be. Not the Americans that the world now knows. The Americans we knew as kids. The Americans we respected as teens. The Americans we admired as adults. The Americans that we wish we could be. And that is what makes me feel so ashamed and scared because the Americans that the world knows now are not those Americans. They are not the Americans we have read about, they are not the Americans that most of us grew up idolizing. And that’s not easy, it’s not easy for me to say this. I have read every Captain America story that exists. I have watched every Captain America movie that exists. I read every Avengers book. I have watched every Avengers movie. And to see what is happening now across the Atlantic, I am ashamed. I am ashamed that these are the Americans that the world now knows. These are not the Americans that we have read about. These are not the Americans we have idolized. And to me, it’s sad. We should not be the Americans that have stormed the capitol. We should not be the Americans that are against democracy. We should not be the Americans that support the murder of people. I am not. I do not. And I want the world to know. I do not agree with these Americans. These Americans that have stormed the capitol. I do not agree with these Americans that have cheated their way to power. I do not agree with these Americans that have opened fire on their own people. I do not agree with these Americans that have killed judges because they were black. I do not agree with these Americans that believed that the color of one’s skin means that they should be killed. I do not agree with these Americans that have stormed the capitol. I am not them. I am not. Sure, I am American. But I am not this American. I am not this American that has stormed the capitol. I am not. I am not. I am not. And I want the world to know. These Americans are not us. They are not the Americans we idolized. They are not the Americans we wanted to be like. They are not the Americans we respect. They are not the Americans we admire. They are not. And I am ashamed. I am ashamed that these are the Americans that the world knows. These are not the Americans that we have read about. These are not the Americans we have idolized. And to me, it’s sad. We should not be the Americans that have stormed the capitol. We should not be the Americans that are against democracy. We should not be the Americans that support the murder of people. I am not. I do not. And I want the world to know. I do not agree with these Americans. These Americans that have stormed the capitol. I do not agree with these Americans that have cheated their way to power. I do not agree with these Americans that have opened fire on their own people. I do not agree with these Americans that have killed judges because they were black. I do not agree with these Americans that believed that the color of one’s skin means that they should be killed. I do not agree with these Americans that have stormed the capitoll. I am not them. I am not. Sure, I am American. But I am not this American. I am not this American that has stormed the capitol. I am not. I am not. I am not. And I want the world to know. These Americans are not us. They are not the Americans we idolized. They are not the Americans we wanted to be like. They are not the Americans we respect. They are not the Americans we admire. They are not. And I am ashamed. I am ashamed that these are the Americans that the world knows. These are not the Americans that we have read about. These are not the Americans we have idolized. And to me, it’s sad. We should not be the Americans that have stormed the capitol. We should not be the Americans that are against democracy. We should not be the Americans that support the murder of people. I am not. I do not. And I want the world to know. I do not agree with these Americans. These Americans that have stormed the capitol. I do not agree with these Americans that have cheated their way to power. I do not agree with these Americans that have opened fire on their own people. I do not agree with these Americans that have killed judges because they were black. I do not agree with these Americans that believed that the color of one’s skin means that they should be killed. I do not agree with these Americans that have stormed the capitol. I am not them. I am not. Sure, I am American. But I am not this American. I am not this American that has stormed the capitol. I am not. I am not. I am not. And I want the world to know. These Americans are not us. They are not the Americans we idolized. They are not the Americans we wanted to be like. They are not the Americans we respect. They are not the Americans we admire. They are not. And I am ashamed. I am ashamed that these are the Americans that the world knows. These are not the Americans that we have read about. These are not the Americans we have idolized. And to me, it’s sad. We should not be the Americans that have stormed the capitol. We should not be the Americans that are against democracy. We should not be the Americans that support the murder of people. I am not. I do not. And I want the world to know. I do not agree with these Americans. These Americans that have stormed the capitol. I do not agree with these Americans that have cheated their way to power. I do not agree with these Americans that have opened fire on their own people. I do not agree with these Americans that have killed judges because they were black. I do not agree with these Americans that believed that the color of one’s skin means that they should be killed. I do not agree with these Americans that have stormed the capitol. I am not them. I am not. Sure, I am American. But I am not this American. I am not this American that has stormed the capitol. I am not. I am not. I am not. And I want the world to know. These Americans are not us. They are not the Americans we idolized. They are not the Americans we wanted to be like. They are not the Americans we respect. They are not the Americans we admire. They are not. And I am ashamed. I am ashamed that these are the Americans that the world knows. These are not the Americans that we have read about. These are not the Americans we have idolized. And to me, it’s sad. We should not be the Americans that have stormed the capitol. We should not be the Americans that are against democracy. We should not be the Americans that support the murder of people. I am not. I do not. And I want the world to know. I do not agree with these Americans. These Americans that have stormed the capitol. I do not agree with these Americans that have cheated their way to power. I do not agree with these Americans that have opened fire on their own people. I do not agree with these Americans that have killed judges because they were black. I do not agree with these Americans that believed that the color of one’s skin means that they should be killed. I do not agree with these Americans that have stormed the capitol. Sure, I am American. But I am not this American. I am not this American that has stormed the capitol. I am not. I am not. I am not. And I want the world to know. These Americans are not us. They are not the Americans we idolized. They are not the Americans we wanted to be like. They are not the Americans we respect. They are not the Americans we admire. They are not. I am not. I am not. I am ashamed. I am ashamed that these are the Americans that the world knows. These are not the Americans that we have read about. These are not the Americans we have idolized. And to me, it’s sad. We should not be the Americans that have stormed the capitol. We should not be the Americans that are against democracy. We should not be the Americans that support the murder of people. I am not. I do not. I am not. I am not. I am ashamed. Sure, I am American. But I am not this American. I am not this American that has stormed the capitol. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I am not. I