I am deeply concerned about the state of politics in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. From Gabby Giffords to Steve Scalice, we have seen abhorrent political violence across the ideological spectrum. Political violence is at a level we have not seen since the 1960s. Hyperpolarization and a decline in community engagement make us less tolerant. When we input evil motives to those with whom we disagree, we stop listening and turn to anger. John Wilkes Booth famously said, “Sic semper tyrannis!” or “Thus always to tyrants!”
I am troubled by the social media response to this tragedy. Very good people who I genuinely like and deeply respect, have reacted sometimes condemning violence, but qualifying their comments by degrading Kirk’s humanity. Sadly, some have celebrated this tragedy. I don’t believe these people are malevolent, just misguided and frustrated. I stand with Greenfield Human Rights Commissioner Nate Woodard who quickly responded with genuine empathy without regard to political disagreements.
One of my political heroes was the late Senator John McCain. McCain famously, when confronted by someone radicalized to vilify then Senator Barack Obama as a person, responded by saying “No … he’s a decent family man, citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with.” I wish more people would follow McCain’s example.
At a time when we see other people’s opinions and exercise of their First Amendment rights as an existential threat and dehumanize those with whom we disagree; we will have political violence. I have said before and continue to believe that the answer to speech you do not like is not censorship (or murder), it is more speech. Ironically, Kirk encouraged just that, more speech and conversations with people who held different points of view.
Isaac Mass
Greenfield