When you experience injustice, how do you respond? 

Do you immediately speak up and fight back?

Maybe you get introspective and go deep into reflection, weighing out different options and scenarios before deciding how or whether to take action. 

Or do you suppress your authentic emotions and maintain a facade until you have figured out your next move?

Many factors inform how you respond to threats and injustice–your values, life experiences, personality and temperament, identities, and privileges–to name just a few.

Today’s guest moved me profoundly with his responses in the days, weeks, and months following the January 6th insurrection in the face of many critics, threats, and risks. Not speaking up would have felt inauthentic for him, leaving him feeling out of alignment.

New York Times best selling author, Harry Dunn,served in the United States Capitol Police from 2008 to 2023. He has been on duty for presidential inaugurations, joint sessions of Congress, State of the Union addresses as well as hundreds of peaceful protests and demonstrations.

For his role defending the Capitol on January 6, 2021, Dunn received the Presidential Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Capitol Police Service Medal, the Capitol Police Achievement Medal, the Gus Heningburg Award from the African American Chamber of Commerce in New Jersey, and the Concerned Black Men Award. He has been outspoken about his experience, testifying in congressional hearings and speaking in the media about the violence he experienced that day and its aftermath.

His memoir, Standing My Ground: A Capitol Officer’s Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th provides a firsthand account of what happened that day and the ramifications it has on our political and legal systems, democracy, communities, and individuals. 

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How Officer Dunn knew he needed to move from isolated and processing the events to speaking out
• How Officer Dunn has navigated using his anger a purposeful force
• The fine balancing act of speaking as a citizen versus as a Capitol Police officer as he took his story public
• How speaking out and testifying at trials and in front of Congress was both a painful and ultimately healing experience
• The values and faith in democracy that keep Officer Dunn going back to work at the Capitol

Learn more about Office Harry Dunn:

• Twitter: @libradunn
• Standing My Ground: A Capitol Police Officer's Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th

Learn more about Rebecca:

• rebeccaching.com
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Resources:

• Michael Jackson - We're Almost There
• Saturday Night Live
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever