A MAGA influencer, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed at the UVU campus this week. It was shocking to see. And so sad to consider how divided we are as a country.
Charlie Kirk has some pretty harsh rhetoric regarding women, people of color, those of different sexual orientations, immigrants, those who are not Christian ( particularly regarding Islam) etc... He was a self-proclaimed white supremacist. He cloaked all of this under the guise of being a follower of Jesus Christ.
I'm not saying that all that he said was wrong-- but his approach was meant to be divisive and to inspire shock. He condemned empathy. He loved to debate anyone and anything. His was a brand, and it wasn't for me.
What happened to him was abhorrent, and I do not condone it in any way. He was a Child of God..just like me...just like our President....And I didn't agree with most of the things that came out of his mouth. I found them very hateful. The biggest thing that contributes to political violence is hate speech and the rhetoric of politicians and influencers after the event. But....Political violence does not solve any of our differences. Political violence only promotes more political violence.
I appreciated 4 of our past US Presidents coming out and saying political violence is bad. We live in a country of free speech, and we can disagree with each other and not have violence. I agree with this. But our current President continued to stoke division, blaming the left and only the left for any kind of violence...which is just so ridiculous. Both Democrats and Republicans have been targeted. Trump stokes political violence.
I don't consider myself on the left. I consider myself pretty much centric and hold beliefs on both sides. But regarding the "left," I support much stronger gun control, more resources directed towards mental health, and a strong stance on the separation of church and state. I also feel that in some ways, the left embodies more of a Christian approach in the areas of loving our neighbors, helping the poor, welcoming refugees, and being inclusive. Those are just a few.
On the more "right" side of things, I'm an advocate for religious freedom ( for all religions, not just Christians), pro-life/choice( though that whole topic is so complex), and better fiscal responsibility.
And we shouldn't be asking if the shooter is left or right? It doesn't matter. He was a screwed up 22 year old with a gun.
I believe our country is being hijacked by recent Supreme Court decisions that include the 2010 decision that money can be poured into political campaigns...that it equals free speech. And the recent 2024 decision about how Presidents can't be held accountable while in office. I disagree strongly with these. This is how and why Trump continues to get elected and lawsuits don't affect him because he has a ton of money and anything he does while in office, he can get away with. It makes it so the people with money continue to govern, lobby, win elections and keep us all divided. It makes the biggest difference in our country not left vs. right, but the rich- elite vs. all of the rest of us. If we could recognize this we could all come together.
James Talarico - a candidate out of Texas said this... and it really rings true to me. "I am tired of being pitted against my neighbor. I am tired of being told to hate my neighbor. People across the political spectrum in this country are hungry for a different kind of politics, not a politics of fear, not a politics of hate, not a politics of violence, but a politics of love. A love that can heal what's broken in this country."
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