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By the time you read this, you will have already endured the overblown commentary from countless corporate news outlets about January 6, 2021, a day that should remain relatively insignificant in the grand scope of American history. Yet at the same time, you will almost certainly find yourself completely unenlightened as to what the objective, unadulterated truth is about the events that took place at our nation’s capital a few years ago.

Here is that truth, as I see it: J6 wasn’t an insurrection or a failed coup. The people who engaged in that behavior weren’t even close to being capable of carrying out the hyperbolic scenarios portrayed in the media. What is often overlooked, however, is how they still managed to instill fear in the hearts of those ensconced in the ivory tower of Capitol Hill—reminding them, if only briefly, that they work for the people.

To be clear: the protestors‘ method was misguided. But the underlying attitude they carried—the sense that it is not only their right but their duty to hold public officials accountable—is something Americans from all political affiliations could take a page from. It’s worth noting that politicians and major media voices quickly seized on January 6 to make an example of those involved, deploying harsh rhetoric and legal measures that sent a strong message: oppose us in any way beyond casting a ballot, and you risk punishment. This response serves as a chilling deterrent against anyone who might, in the future, choose to exercise the kind of direct, forceful accountability that rattles those in power far more than the occasional protest sign or a single vote.

Why, then, do politicians and mainstream news pundits still use the words “insurrection” or “failed coup” when describing those events—even now—despite evidence to the contrary? The FBI’s investigation into the Capitol incident concluded that the violence was not coordinated by any grand coalition of white supremacists, far-right groups, or supporters of former President Donald Trump. Nor was there a plot to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election or take political hostages. The media has relentlessly bombarded us with rhetoric that the incident was a terrorist insurrection—even though there were only two fatalities that day, both of whom were protestors: Rosanne Boyland, who died of an amphetamine overdose, and Ashli Babbitt, a former Air Force veteran who was fatally shot by an officer when attempting to climb through a shattered window. Her death was ruled justifiable homicide, despite her being unarmed. In an era defined by protests against racism and police brutality—especially as it relates to unarmed black citizens—this instance of a black officer shooting a white woman has been met with considerably less public introspection or empathy, a silence which some find ironic.

The real talking point that should dominate discussions of January 6 is the misuse of the term “insurrection.” There was no plan to overthrow the government, no organized preparation to seize power, and American freedom was never genuinely in jeopardy. For major networks to keep calling that day an “insurrection” is irresponsible and a blatant form of gaslighting.

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