Over the past few years, it’s been increasingly obvious that we’re living through events that will be major chapters in history books someday. Last Saturday we all witnessed another history-making moment when Former President and current Presidential Candidate Donald Trump was shot in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
While it seems miraculous that the former president, inches away from being killed, was only grazed on the ear, it is also horrific that one rally attender was killed and two others were seriously injured during the event. The shooter was also shot and killed by the Secret Service.
Coming in the middle of an already divisive and tense election, this event has made some people set aside political differences to widely condemn political violence. However, it has also made others lean even further into their polarized viewpoints, highlighting points of disagreement, pointing fingers, and even focusing on rumors and conspiracy theories.
As sides are quick to find fault with each other, many Republicans blame Democrats for calling Trump a threat to democracy, while Democrats point to Trump’s history of divisive language and praise of the rioters from the insurrection.
What is interesting about the arguments coming from both sides is that they agree on the fact that violent rhetoric can lead to violent actions.
As people with different opinions, especially political opinions, become more divided in our country, the language people use has become increasingly more polarized as well. Particularly when it comes to an “us vs. them” mentality, the way people describe and dehumanize those they disagree with has become more disturbing.
Words have power. Often how we talk, and the words we listen to, become one of the most powerful forces that shapes how we think and eventually how we act. When we start to use militant language, even if we say it’s hyperbole, talking about fighting, destruction, blood baths, eradication, the price of victory — is it surprising when it starts to become literal?
We should be concerned by the violent language we’re surrounded by and the way it can quickly turn into violent action.
Events like the shooting on Saturday should make us pause and re-evaluate where we’re at, what led us here, and what we can do to change course. How can we change the rhetoric we use to change the narrative we’re surrounded by? Rather than living through historic times because of division and violence, could we ever change things enough to where our times become historic for peace? Could we be known for civility, the way people treat each other with respect, the way people work together with those they don’t see eye to eye with, the way we are unified in finding middle ground solutions with multiple perspectives and sides giving input to find a stronger way forward?
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