Jan Chamberlin Resists

The resistance is real ... Jan Chamberlin, a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir which is set to appear at president-elect _____’s inauguration this month, has resigned from the group over that decision because, she says, to perform there would be an endorsement of “tyranny and fascism” and then added:

“I only know I could never ‘throw roses to Hitler.’ And I certainly could never sing for him.”

Chamberlin posted her resignation letter to leaders of the 360-member choir on her Facebook page:

"It is with a sad and heavy heart that I submit my resignation to you and to Choir. I am praying that Jesus will help me get through this email before I totally break down.

I love you all, and I know the goodness of your hearts, and your desire to go out there and show that we are politically neutral and share good will. That is the image Choir wishes to present and the message they desperately want to send.

I also know, looking from the outside in, it will appear that Choir is endorsing tyranny and fascism by singing for this man.

Tyranny is now on our doorstep; it has been sneaking its way into our lives through stealth. Now it will burst into our homes through storm."

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints spokesman Eric Hawkins says participation in the choir and the inaugural performance was voluntary, and that the choir’s tradition of presidential performances was not akin to “implied support of party affiliations or politics."

Still, when you believe the man in the Oval Office might be the ruin of this country, would you want to sing for him?

In her statement, Chamberlin offered a strongly worded critique of _____’s campaign tactics, drawing a parallel with the rise of Adolf Hitler:

“In the show Wicked, the Wizard makes a really interesting statement. He says, ‘I create conflict to stay in power.’ This scenario can keep us perpetually distracted and at odds with each other and keep us from working together to solve important issues. This also allows those in office to do whatever they want to unchecked.

I believe this has been done to us, both cunningly and intentionally. I believe we have a lot more in common than we have in difference, and if we will listen to each other, we can learn a great deal from one another.

History is repeating itself; the same tactics are being used by Hitler (identify a problem, finding a scapegoat target to blame, and stirring up people with a combination of fanaticism, false promises, and fear, and gathering the funding).

I plead with everyone to go back and read the books we all know on these topics and review the films produced to help us learn from these gargantuan crimes so that we will not allow them to be repeated. Evil people prosper when good people stand by and do nothing.”

Brava, Ms. Chamberlin, and here’s hoping that, by speaking out, and by standing up, and by resisting, you will spark others to do the same.

The Guardian