Political violence is always wrong. I will repeat that statement so it can really sink in. Political violence is always wrong.
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who gained popularity on social media for his public debates and rallies, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University. Kirk was known for being the definition of a polarizing figure. His stances on political and social issues were almost always aligned with the standard conservative viewpoint. Opposing party members may even describe some of his views as “extreme.”
Personally, there are very few statements Kirk made that I would agree with. As far as our viewpoints are concerned, we are on two very different sides of the political spectrum. When I heard news that Kirk had been shot, my first reaction was not “Thank God.” Instead, my exact words were “That is a disgusting thing for someone to do.”
No one deserves to have their life taken for speaking their mind and voicing their opinions. Public figures assassinated for their political views should never happen in a country built with the founding principles of free expression and diverse perspectives.
Political discourse and differing viewpoints makes our country a better place, but based on this tragedy, it is obvious the political divide in America has gone too far. Anyone who thinks Kirk “deserved” what he got is completely out of line and those who share that sentiment need to do some deep introspection and see what happened to Kirk for what it is, an embarrassment and a disaster.
The murder of Kirk is evidence of political tension in America that has become more than just dangerous, it has become deadly. Kirk is a victim of a society who resorts to violence instead of conversation, that shoots to kill instead of practicing empathy.
To say I am disappointed would be a drastic understatement. I am shocked and beyond saddened that anyone could ever think the murder of Kirk was justifiable. People are so much more than their political beliefs. Kirk was a husband, father, and Christian, but at the end of the day, those are all just labels. Kirk was more than all those things, but is dead because one person only saw him as a conservative.
Moving forward, we, as a nation, must do better. We have to see beyond the labels of politician, activist, Republican, Democrat, conservative, and liberal. We need to make sure we first see others as a human, friend, neighbor, and community member.
The human race is a beautiful collage of backgrounds as well as individual tastes and preferences. The fact that people have different opinions can create a better country and world. However, by allowing hate to cloud reason, we diminish the opportunity for positive change.
Join me in being disgusted by today’s tragedy. For now, be angry, sad, upset, and all the other emotions that come with loss, but don’t stay in that place forever. Let’s come out of this more determined to build a better future where people can disagree without screaming, listen with the intent to understand, and express their political beliefs safely.
One thing is for certain after today. This can never happen again.
