Fanaticism and Intolerance
There is growing polarization across the globe, provoked by those who follow that age-old theory of “divide and conquer,” and differences previously seen as natural and understandable are now being portrayed as expressions of hate and fanaticism, inevitably leading to acts of violence. On Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk, a young political prodigy who had flourished due to his unwavering support for Donald Trump since Trump’s first presidential election campaign, was murdered in the United States. There is palpable concern surrounding how this violence manifested, not just in the U.S., but around the world.
Humans were not designed to live under one uniform school of thought and, as a result, guaranteeing and respecting freedom of expression and contrasting ideas, opinions and points of view is one of civilization’s most important advances. Almost every society has endured periods where fanaticism has reared its ugly head, discarding the beliefs of groups who do not share the same perspective as those in power. This produces not just dictatorships, but criminal violence against those who do not fit into the imposed model.
The United States has not been immune to political violence. It can arise from causes other than differing opinions, but it is most serious when it stems from intolerance. This century, in the U.S. alone, we have seen violence like the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York, a tragedy that occurred 24 years ago this week. Yet the past year also brought the assassination of a Minnesota congresswoman and her husband; an arson attack against the Pennsylvania governor’s residence; the attempted assassination of President Trump; and an attack on Nancy Pelosi that left her husband with a fractured skull. Of course, it is also worth mentioning the violent and deadly affront on the Capitol four years ago -– yet another example of the intolerant attitude of politicians who try, forcibly if necessary, to impose their will.
Clearly, we must pause and reflect on what has happened to a country previously thought of as a model for tolerance and maturity toward different ideas and political expression, one that thrived under the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech as a leading example to the rest of the world. This model has been shattered by the intolerance produced by hate-filled political discourse, such as the criminalization and stereotyping of immigrants who have contributed enormously to the nation for centuries.
Kirk’s assassination has shaken not just Trumpism, but a civilization based on tolerance and respect for human rights in general. This murder should be strongly condemned by humanity because there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that could justify this type of deplorable criminal act, fueled by hate designed to divide society.
Humans were not designed to live under one uniform school of thought and, as a result, guaranteeing and respecting freedom of expression and contrasting ideas, opinions and points of view is one of civilization’s most important advances. Almost every society has endured periods where fanaticism has reared its ugly head, discarding the beliefs of groups who do not share the same perspective as those in power. This produces not just dictatorships, but criminal violence against those who do not fit into the imposed model.
The United States has not been immune to political violence. It can arise from causes other than differing opinions, but it is most serious when it stems from intolerance. This century, in the U.S. alone, we have seen violence like the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York, a tragedy that occurred 24 years ago this week. Yet the past year also brought the assassination of a Minnesota congresswoman and her husband; an arson attack against the Pennsylvania governor’s residence; the attempted assassination of President Trump; and an attack on Nancy Pelosi that left her husband with a fractured skull. Of course, it is also worth mentioning the violent and deadly affront on the Capitol four years ago -– yet another example of the intolerant attitude of politicians who try, forcibly if necessary, to impose their will.
Clearly, we must pause and reflect on what has happened to a country previously thought of as a model for tolerance and maturity toward different ideas and political expression, one that thrived under the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech as a leading example to the rest of the world. This model has been shattered by the intolerance produced by hate-filled political discourse, such as the criminalization and stereotyping of immigrants who have contributed enormously to the nation for centuries.
Kirk’s assassination has shaken not just Trumpism, but a civilization based on tolerance and respect for human rights in general. This murder should be strongly condemned by humanity because there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that could justify this type of deplorable criminal act, fueled by hate designed to divide society.
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