Polarization has been an ongoing issue in the American political climate for a while. However, to many Americans, right-wing activist and founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) Charlie Kirk’s murder on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University represents a more violent political climate.
Tyler Robinson is the primary suspect in Kirk’s murder. When the incident happened, there was not much information about the suspect. As a result, his political background has been a major point of dispute among politicians, with both sides treating this incident as a political conversation topic.
New York Times writers Jack Healy and Orlando Mayorquín reported that Utah Governor Spencer Cox claimed Robinson had “leftist ideologies” even before he was captured and identified. Political polarization and radicalism are already major problems in America, with both Democrats and Republicans resorting to populist rhetoric, language used by politicians to demonize their opponents, causing divides among voters. Social studies teacher Susan Fuhrer talks about the usage of Kirk’s assassination for political gain.
“Someone died, and it’s because the [political] temperature is so escalated,” Fuhrer said. “It’s upsetting in many ways because someone’s life was lost, [and] I don’t feel like the politicians are recognizing that.”
There are plenty of opportunities for Metea Valley students to be involved in political conversations at our school. However, polarization makes it harder to have these meaningful civic conversations with others. A Carnegie Endowment for International Peace report confirms the idea that Americans have been growing politically polarized over the last couple of decades, so much so that they “believe in and vote for different sets of policies, with little overlap.” At Metea, there are steps we take to make sure conversation is still possible in a heightened political landscape.
“I think [Charlie Kirk’s assassination] is a continuation of our very nasty, polarized politics,” Fuhrer said. “I know that’s definitely something at Metea in all of our government classes that we do try to turn down the temperature.”
What worries Americans about Kirk’s assassination is that Kirk was not a politician, but a political commentator who was exercising his First Amendment right to freedom of speech. Junior and Citizens of Metea chair Jack Py states that Kirk’s assassination represents an attack on all Americans.
“I think it’s an attack on anyone who wants to voice their opinions, and whether you’re left or right, this should be a wake-up call,” Py said.
Political violence in America has steadily become more prevalent in the political landscape. As Journal of Democracy writer Rachel Kleinfeld reports, about 79 percent of poll workers surveyed reported they wanted security, and a third felt unsafe. Py comments on the need to end political violence.
“Political violence is real and we need to stand up to it,” Py said.
What most Americans want is a safe environment to discuss their differences, where there is no threat of violence. For some Americans, Charlie Kirk was the person who headed this movement, as he was someone who engaged with his opponents in civil debates.
“I think people hopefully take that message from the right and the left that we need to be more respectful in the way that Charlie Kirk approaches, the way that everyone should approach it with open dialogue,” Py said.
