Like my suit, what I did on Jan 6 on its face was unremarkable. I saw a mess and cleaned it. I wanted to right the wrongs of that day as quickly and as tangibly as I could. Neither my suit nor my actions are on their own worthy of memory, but the story didn’t end there. 4/17 pic.twitter.com/sGuL36tIxB
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) July 6, 2021

When I got home I vowed to never wear the suit again. I even considered throwing it away. It only brought back terrible memories. I could never separate that suit from the events of Jan6. I hid it in my closet as I never wanted to see it again. But then something happened. 6/17 pic.twitter.com/pSf2duFRsK
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) July 6, 2021

People wrote saying the blue suit gave them a sense of resilience and hope. For me, I was in a tough place. In days after Jan6 I had an unshakable regret that I didn’t do more to keep people safe. But feeling of hope/resilience in the cards helped me feel stronger. Thank you.8/17 pic.twitter.com/OMUix6TKIU
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) July 6, 2021

When the Smithsonian requested the suit, I tried to imagine what an exhibit about Jan6 would look like. Perhaps it would have broken glass from shattered doors, torn flags and signs. Video of the mob trying to hijack our democracy. But there was so much more to that day. 10/17 pic.twitter.com/3ocvv7Xe82
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) July 6, 2021

I told the Smithsonian yes to donating the blue suit because the telling of the story of Jan6 isn’t optional, it is necessary. There are many stories of Jan6. Mine is just one. We cannot heal as a nation unless we have truth. Let truth be truth. 12/17 pic.twitter.com/b2bQVmk2cp
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) July 6, 2021

Instead of trying to erase history they don’t like after the fact, politicians should just act in a way that doesn’t produce such shameful results. It’s not hard to not incite or cover up an insurrection. 14/17
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) July 6, 2021

Patriotism isn’t to think we are infallible; it is to know we make mistakes but to love our nation and one another with care enough to fix the injustices that remain. To know our resilience. To have humility to know that we are a part of something bigger than all of us. 16/17
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) July 6, 2021

It’ll be surreal to one day take my kids to the Smithsonian and show them the blue suit behind glass. I hope they grow to know the truth of Jan6, but I also hope the story ultimately is one of hope and resilience. I hope that is what they and others see in the blue suit. END pic.twitter.com/WUl426WpCD
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) July 6, 2021

‘What else could I do?’ NJ Rep. Kim helps clean up Capitol - AP

BLM riot damage

The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters #171

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