September 10th was a devastating day for our nation. There are no words for the loss of Charlie Kirk. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones.
It’s on each of us to stop this dangerous cycle of mutual destruction. No matter where we stand on the political spectrum, here’s what we must do in the wake of this tragedy.
The immediate priority is to not escalate an already precarious situation. Do not throw fuel on the fire through attacks and counterattacks over responsibility for this act of violence. We’ve gotten ourselves into a deep hole. The first thing we must do is stop digging.
Second, we must tone down the apocalyptic rhetoric that our democracy will not survive the leadership or ideology of any one side. When the survival of the American experiment is at stake, violence can seem justified and even heroic. We must believe in ourselves that we can hold onto our democratic republic even amidst profound disagreement.
Third, we must use this moment to soul-search what we’ve allowed to happen in our political culture, from the national to the local level, and in our families and friendships. Polarization is a “We the People” problem, not just a “those politicians” or “those talking heads” problem. We have a role to play.
For years, we’ve unleashed bitter contempt on our fellow Americans who think, speak, and vote differently, creating a toxic cycle to which both sides contribute. Change begins with each of us examining how we see and think about those who hold views we believe are wrong. We must challenge the dominant cultural narrative that pits us in a war of good versus evil, tribe versus tribe. Then, we must demand the same of our leaders.
Together, we can define for this country what courageous citizenship means—modeling a constructive civic response that rebuilds trust and puts us on a path toward solving problems together. Now is the time. Our country depends on it.
To hear more from our CEO Maury Giles, read his letter to our members here.
