On Sept. 10, conservative activist and media personality Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at an event at Utah Valley University where he was speaking. Soon after, social media platforms were flooded with conflicting opinions. Some expressed their disgust at the incident, while others began streaming “No One Mourns the Wicked” by Ariana Grande on Spotify. Users argued whether Mr. Kirk deserved sympathy because of his views, and returned to the age-old debate about political violence in the United States.
However, in a press conference on Sept. 12, a different type of message was shared by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. Gov. Cox pleaded to young Americans, stating, “You are inheriting a country where politics feels like rage. It feels like rage is the only option. But through those words we have a reminder that we can choose a different path. Your generation has an opportunity to build a culture that is very different from what we are suffering through right now.”
Gov. Cox imparts a crucial message to our generation that includes Tyler Robinson, Mr. Kirk’s alleged shooter. He pinpoints the idea that we have a choice about the path we take when we disagree with someone. In a time when political violence has numbed us all, changes can and should be made on a small scale. While the whole country may not seek to improve the violence issue, we as individuals can work toward nonviolent and utilitarian approaches to political discourse.
The idea of nonviolent acts of disagreement is not to do with Mr. Kirk’s political viewpoints. His death was a reminder that violence spares no one, transcending political ideology. This year alone acts of violence have spanned the political spectrum, including when Minnesota Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their home. The First Amendment protects free speech, meaning that people should never have to fear for their lives because of their political affiliation or opinions.
At Lab there are ways to get involved with nonviolent approaches to disagreement. Last year, the U-High Progressives Club and Lab Liberty came together to form the Coalition for Free Speech at Lab. They gathered to discuss political issues, attempting to find some common ground. Clubs should continue the coalition this year so our generation can practice what political discourse should look like.
In a country that is so polarized, it is important to truly understand others’ point of view before reacting in ways that are potentially harmful. Both Republicans and Democrats tend to underestimate the diversity of each other’s views, and if these preconceived notions about each other are challenged, political tensions can be eased and approached with tangible solutions. Consumption of media and research not just of your political affiliation is important, but perhaps most importantly, engaging with others who may not necessarily agree with you.
As Gov. Cox said, we as a young generation must choose a different path. We must choose the path of healing, where children, adults and those in the political spotlight are spared from violence, and instead are pushed toward a healthier discourse.
