🔥 From Tragedy to Turning Point: Condemning Political Violence and Reclaiming Ethical Dialogue

Let this be the moment we choose humanity over hostility.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, was not just a personal tragedy—it was a national alarm bell. Kirk, fo

under of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while engaging in public debate, a cornerstone of a democratic society. Whether one agreed with his politics or not, his right to speak freely and safely should have been inviolable.

This act of violence—described by Utah’s governor as a “political assassination”—is part of a disturbing trend. From attacks on lawmakers to assassination attempts on President Trump, the U.S. is entering what experts call a “new era of political violence”—one not seen since the upheaval of the 1960s.

We must be unequivocal: violence in any form, including political violence, is never justified. It undermines democracy, silences dissent, and breeds fear. The solution is not retaliation, but reflection. We must ask: how did we get here? And more importantly, how do we move forward?

One answer lies in ethical education. As highlighted by Harvard’s Danielle Allen, civic and ethical literacy have been neglected for decades. We invest $54 per student annually in STEM, but only five cents in civics. That imbalance leaves young people ill-equipped to engage in democratic discourse with empathy and accountability.

Ethics isn’t just about knowing right from wrong—it’s about understanding how to disagree without dehumanizing. It’s about cultivating the skills to challenge ideas, not individuals. As Jos Raadschelders and Miriam Chitiga argue, ethics education should be embedded from K–12 through college, anchored in civility, social justice, and democratic values.

Charlie Kirk’s death should not be weaponized for partisan gain. It should be a moment of national reckoning—a chance to recommit to peaceful dialogue across ideological divides. Let this tragedy inspire schools, families, and institutions to prioritize ethical literacy. Let it remind us that democracy thrives not on agreement, but on our ability to disagree without destruction.

We honor Kirk’s legacy not by echoing his politics, but by defending the right of every person—left, right, or center—to speak, challenge, and be heard safely. Heated debate is healthy.

Hatred is not.

Let this be the moment we choose humanity over hostility.