The Evolution of Power Displays

A Personal Reflection

After reflecting on the events unfolding these past few weeks under the new administration, I find myself compelled to step back and examine what's happening at a deeper level. Beyond policy changes and executive orders lies something more profound—a shifting relationship between governance and the governed that affects us in ways both subtle and significant. These changes have awakened in me a growing concern about institutional violence—not the kind depicted in dramatic media portrayals, but the quieter, more insidious form that erodes psychological safety and fractures our collective sense of security within the systems meant to protect us.

What began with the January 6th insurrection, and later continued with the pardoning of those involved, has evolved into something more systematic—a focused and concerted form of violence directed against anyone who stands for truth, justice, and the rule of law. The physical violence of that day has transformed into institutional violence that targets not bodies but foundations: the foundational belief that laws apply equally to all, that public service has inherent value, and that our systems should protect the vulnerable rather than the powerful.

This violence manifests in the dismantling of structures people have come to rely on, in the casual disregard for established norms, and in the deliberate targeting of protections that marginalized communities have fought decades to secure. As we witness these transformations, I'm struck by how easily psychological violence can be normalized when it's wrapped in the language of efficiency, necessity, or reform. This reflection isn't merely academic—it's deeply personal for millions whose relationship with their government has fundamentally changed.

From Physical to Institutional Force

The events of January 6, 2021 represented a visible manifestation of societal tensions, but the display of power imbalances continues today in equally consequential ways. In February 2025, we're witnessing what could be interpreted as an institutional form of control through the systematic reduction of public sector positions.

These workforce reductions disproportionately impact certain demographic groups:

• Black Americans, who make up 18.6% of government workers compared to 12.8% of the general workforce

• Older employees, with 28% of affected workers being over 55 (versus 23.6% in the broader workforce)

• Long-tenured employees averaging 11.8 years of service (compared to 3.9 years in the general workforce)

Many chose public service careers specifically for their social impact and benefits like student loan forgiveness. The sudden elimination of these positions without adequate recourse or replacement opportunities represents a fundamental shift in the social contract between government and its employees.

Similarly concerning is the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in both public and private sectors. For many Americans, the pursuit of equality through systematic programs isn't merely a policy preference but a deeply held value system comparable to religious belief—it represents faith in the possibility of a more equitable society.

When these programs face elimination, it creates an environment where fear becomes the dominant response. Under such conditions, self-preservation often replaces collective action and advocacy for marginalized groups. The resulting isolation weakens social bonds and diminishes the capacity for unified responses to systemic challenges.

This pattern raises important questions about power, governance, and whose interests are ultimately served by these institutional changes.

The Weaponization of Economic Insecurity

The targeted reduction of public sector jobs represents more than just budget cuts—it's a strategic deployment of economic insecurity as a control mechanism. When workers witness the dismantling of stable government positions with benefits and protections, it sends a chilling message to all labor sectors: stability is conditional, and advocacy for rights can be met with institutional retribution.

This economic precarity creates ripple effects throughout communities. Government workers with decades of institutional knowledge aren't just losing jobs—they're losing healthcare coverage, retirement security, and the dignity that comes with professional expertise being valued. Local economies suffer as purchasing power diminishes in communities where public sector employment has historically provided a foundation for middle-class stability.

The Racial and Generational Dimensions

The demographic patterns in these workforce reductions cannot be overlooked. With Black Americans overrepresented in public sector employment, these cuts function as a form of structural discrimination, even when not explicitly framed as such. Many Black families have historically viewed government employment as a path to economic stability in a private sector often plagued by discrimination. The elimination of these positions threatens generational wealth-building in communities already facing systemic economic disadvantages.

The targeting of older, experienced workers carries additional significance. Beyond the immediate financial impact, it represents an erasure of institutional memory—the lived understanding of how government functions and why certain protections were established in the first place. Without this historical context, it becomes easier to normalize practices that previous generations recognized as harmful.

The Parallel Attack on Values-Based Systems

The simultaneous dismantling of DEI initiatives alongside public sector reductions reveals a coordinated approach to reshaping institutional values. For many Americans, particularly those from marginalized communities, DEI programs represent more than just workplace policies—they embody a fundamental belief in the possibility of systems that function equitably for all participants.

When corporations and government entities face external pressure to abandon these initiatives, it creates a dangerous precedent that values like inclusion and equity are negotiable rather than fundamental. The message becomes clear: in times of economic or political pressure, commitments to fairness will be the first sacrifices made.

The Cultivation of Fear as Governance

Perhaps most concerning is how these approaches cultivate fear as a primary emotional response among workers. When employees witness the rapid dismantling of job security for colleagues who dedicated decades to public service, it naturally produces anxiety about their own futures. This anxiety often manifests as risk aversion—a reluctance to speak out, organize, or challenge problematic practices.

The psychological impact extends beyond the workplace. Communities experiencing this form of institutional violence develop a pervasive sense of powerlessness that affects civic engagement, community organizing, and even personal health outcomes. Research consistently shows that perceived powerlessness correlates with higher rates of chronic stress, cardiovascular issues, and mental health challenges.

The False Narrative of Necessity

These changes are frequently presented under the guise of financial necessity or organizational efficiency. However, this framing obscures the selective nature of these cuts and their disproportionate impact on certain communities. When austerity measures consistently target programs benefiting vulnerable populations while leaving other spending untouched, it reveals priorities rather than necessities.

The parallels to January 6th become clearer when examining how power operates through both spectacular events and mundane administrative decisions. While dramatic displays of force capture immediate attention, the slow erosion of worker protections and equity initiatives may ultimately have more lasting consequences for democratic institutions and the distribution of power within society.

Rebuilding Collective Resilience

Despite these challenges, communities will find innovative ways to resist the isolation these tactics aim to produce. Worker solidarity networks, community mutual aid systems, and cross-sector coalitions will fill gaps left by institutional retreats. These grassroots responses can demonstrate that while institutional violence may target collective power, it often inadvertently creates new forms of community resilience.

The path forward requires recognizing these systemic patterns for what they are—not isolated policy decisions but coordinated efforts to reshape power relationships. By naming these dynamics directly and building coalitions across affected communities, it becomes possible to develop responses that address both immediate needs and longer-term structural challenges.

The struggle for workplace dignity, economic security, and institutional fairness continues—not as separate issues but as interconnected aspects of the ongoing work to create systems that genuinely serve all participants, rather than reinforcing existing hierarchies of power and privilege.