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By Derek Dressler
What can be said that hasn’t already? Political violence has no place in ordered society.
It is a hallmark of this nation – since its forebears earliest thoughts – that the most powerful tool in politics was the pen not the sword.
In 1787 Madison wrote of political violence as being a symptom of “factionalism and social instability.” Indeed even our founding was not of a violent initiation.
From the Olive Branch Petition to the Declaration, our nations’ most damning words have sparked insurrection against only a nation, not an individual. Modern partisan individual attacks are ubiquitously condemned, if not for their atrocious and despicable nature, but as antithetical to the very premise of opposition in a civil society.
Lest we forget the power of words when they spark death and so misguided are those who use rifles to solve conflicts and bullets to silence zealots that our national consciousness becomes numb and apathetic to a most pervasive social disease.
I am as outraged by Mr. (Charlie) Kirk’s assassination as I hope the next person would be. But I am more enraged by the prevalence and acceptance of force and violence being used to address problems of tongue and pen.
Whether in hostile use of government agencies or private individuals using violence and insurrection to promote or detest a dissenting opinion, the necessity for education and effectuation of civil discourse and debate has never been more relevant.
This is a time for American heroes to opine on the value of words and thought. To emphasize deeds in civil forms of protest and assembly as benchmarks and monikers for successful institutional change.
Every generation has a moment to decide what they stand for; tempered tenacity, a respect and obedience to civility, and a rebellion against political violence must be ours. It is indeed the zeitgeist of the American Identity.
Just as Franklin believed that “Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom” and Paine argued that “the right to speak and think was essential for the protection of all other rights,” we must become mature to the idea of opposition in temperance and of civil discourse even when the most hateful and controversial rhetoric is pursued.
Indeed, it must be remembered that civil society can only remain civil, so long as its people do.
Editor’s note: Derek Dressler is a political scientist and student at the University of Pittsburgh. As a lifelong Pleasanton resident, Derek has served his community in various capacities including student Board of Trustees member, Foothill High School ASB president and assistant scoutmaster in Pleasanton’s BSA Troop 941.
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Excellent column, Mr. Dressler.