When the news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination broke, the media went on a frenzy of who to blame. Kirk received a fatal shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University and immediately after, the public erupted with anger, pointing fingers at one another’s political parties. Democrats and Republicans in Congress lashed out at each other. Political figures grew more fearful for their safety. But this isn’t the first time this has happened: We see this cycle of violence and blame repeating again and again.
Each time a threat, assault, shooting or murder happens, we only are building more hate towards one another further dividing our nation. We’re no longer the United States: We’re the divided states. As Americans, we have become detached from empathy. We wish harm on political opposition and ignore the destruction it could cause. I’m guilty of it myself.
Kirk had a large appeal to the newer generation of Republicans. To them he was seen as an inspiration and hero of modern conservatism.
“I think [Kirk’s assassination] was an absolute tragedy, and I was a huge fan of his, and I think he was really inspiring to the youth,” said Summit junior Jackie Haffner.
To the more left leaning however, he was viewed as an evil man who attacked civil rights, transgender rights, feminism and Islam.
The young activist made many controversial statements. He called Martin Luther King Jr. “awful” and “not a good person.” He stated that the Civil Rights Act was a “huge mistake” and described George Floyd as a “scumbag.” When Taylor Swift’s proposal was announced, Kirk told Swift to “reject feminism. Submit to your husband, Taylor. You are not in charge.”
As much as I disliked Kirk and rebuked his statements, he was using his right of free speech. When I asked Summit students what they thought about Kirk’s assasination, I got the almost same empathetic response from both right-leaning and left-leaning students.
“Well I think it’s sad, because even if I didn’t agree with his opinions, I still think [that] it’s free speech and no one should die for their opinions,” said sophomore Mia Ballinger.
Political violence is on the rise. In June, a gunman shot and seriously injured Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in their home. Later that day the same gunman assassinated Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their dog, Gilbert, in their home. Last April, an arsonist set Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania’s house on fire while he and his family were asleep. Thankfully, no one was injured.
According to a study in The Wall Street Journal, nearly 80% of Americans still believe that violence is “never acceptable” to stop free speech. However, this percentage continues to decrease in every generation. 93% of baby boomers and 86% of Gen Xers reject violence, but unfortunately, only 71% of millennials and 58% of Gen Zers agree.
We need to stop condoning violence. It’s not just one political party that’s being attacked: It’s both. Violence doesn’t stop for anyone. What happened to empathy? We need to be okay with people believing in their own opinions and making their own arguments. Whether or not you agree with someone, they have their right to free speech. It’s important to hear one another’s arguments and to consider their viewpoints. It is human nature to argue, but we need to stop silencing each other.
