The tragic mass shooting and attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, that occurred in my hometown of Tucson, AZ yesterday, have left a permanent scar on my family, as someone very close to us was taken in this senseless act of violence. So that his death and the deaths of the other five victims are not in vain, I truly hope that some good will come of this; preferably in the form of politicians, media/talking heads, and the public at large reflecting on the tenor, tone and language we use in discussing matters of politics and social issues.
While the motives of the suspect in this incident are not fully known (and, from what we know, he was clearly a mentally disturbed young man), this is still a moment to reflect on how we communicate with each other and how our words have consequences. When politicians use the crosshairs of a weapon to target districts they want to take back, when we describe our political opponents as evil or enemies or threats to our democracy, when politicians urge the public dont retreat reload (or, in one of the most horrifying examples, when, last year, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords opponent held a rally to Get on target to remove Gabrielle Giffords Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly), these are not helpful. How can we expect anything other than people being whipped up into a frenzy and the most extreme and/or disturbed sometimes taking violent action?
Im not ascribing blame for yesterdays incident on anyone other than the shooter. However, I cant help but think that when violent rhetoric, such as I described, is used to influence the public perception of government officials or political ideologies, how can there not be a shared culpability on the part of those using such language?
When hatred, intolerance and fear-mongering are employed as political tactics, it may win an election, but ultimately, at what cost? I believe we all love our country and want whats best for it, though we may disagree on how best to get there. In honor of those lost yesterday, I hope we can all calm down, take a deep breath and consider more positive, productive ways of communicating our grievances and concerns.
Were in this together, so please, lets try to work together.
While the motives of the suspect in this incident are not fully known (and, from what we know, he was clearly a mentally disturbed young man), this is still a moment to reflect on how we communicate with each other and how our words have consequences. When politicians use the crosshairs of a weapon to target districts they want to take back, when we describe our political opponents as evil or enemies or threats to our democracy, when politicians urge the public dont retreat reload (or, in one of the most horrifying examples, when, last year, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords opponent held a rally to Get on target to remove Gabrielle Giffords Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly), these are not helpful. How can we expect anything other than people being whipped up into a frenzy and the most extreme and/or disturbed sometimes taking violent action?
Im not ascribing blame for yesterdays incident on anyone other than the shooter. However, I cant help but think that when violent rhetoric, such as I described, is used to influence the public perception of government officials or political ideologies, how can there not be a shared culpability on the part of those using such language?
When hatred, intolerance and fear-mongering are employed as political tactics, it may win an election, but ultimately, at what cost? I believe we all love our country and want whats best for it, though we may disagree on how best to get there. In honor of those lost yesterday, I hope we can all calm down, take a deep breath and consider more positive, productive ways of communicating our grievances and concerns.
Were in this together, so please, lets try to work together.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
kirin:
zeitah:
I was so shocked to hear about it all the way from the UK. so sad a 9 year old little girl got caught up in it too. They should hang the sick bastard...