I don’t like politics because it’s full of so much anger, and it’s so bitter.
I remain a proud voter because I view it as a civic duty. Let’s be real: both sides of the political spectrum have their issues, but to err is human.
I prefer to put my time into joyful things, like my Catholic faith, my friends, and my family. Life feels brighter when you spend your time focusing on the things that actually matter.
But right now, we cannot avoid the violence our country is facing, and we should not sit here and watch it continue.
It’s no secret that the past couple of weeks have been rough for our nation. With my stance on politics, I prefer to stay silent on such things, but my heart has felt so heavy from the recent tragic events.
Our purpose in life is not to stay silent.
God calls us to speak and share His love, not to keep it to ourselves. By sharing the Gospel, we share His love. The word Gospel means “Good News” and originates from the Greek term “ euangelion.” Everything good is a gift from Him.
When have we ever wanted to conceal good news that we know would benefit others? It doesn’t make any sense.
Good news isn’t supposed to sit in silence, and as the phrase goes, “ silence is deafening.”
The horrible events we’ve witnessed more recently are a result of this silence and a lack of sharing the good with those who need it the most.
Charlie Kirk once said, “When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence.”
I never really watched any of Charlie’s videos, and sometimes didn’t agree with things he said, but I always respected him as a person. He never shamed the young adults with whom he had those civil debates. He listened, asked them questions, and stated his point.
He was a devout Christian and spoke openly about his love for being a father and a husband.
I admired those things about him because family is everything and always will be.
You didn’t have to like him or agree with him, but one thing we should all agree on is that he didn’t deserve to die in cold blood. Nobody deserves to have such horrible things happen to them.
Sure, it’s easier to avoid conflict and be quiet, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best option. By staying silent, we allow our anger to build up, and that can lead to harmful actions.
By staying silent, we allow those who wish for and do violent things to continue gaining power. And if everyone spoke in civil conversation, maybe we wouldn’t see such a tragic event happen.
But now, it is more difficult to see and appreciate the good in the world, and this nation.
Charlie’s assassination is permanent, as is the damage it has inflicted on his family, friends, and all of those who loved him.
We watched an innocent man who was a husband, father, and son lose his life because a sick and twisted man chose to act out of hatred, without speaking a single word.
We watched a beautiful family get ripped apart. Two young children lost their loving dad, whom they are not old enough to remember. These kids will miss a lifetime of memories that every child deserves to experience with their father.
We watched a wife and mother lose the love of her life right in front of her eyes. She will never get to grow old with the man she admired so deeply.
It is evident that our nation is more divided than ever, and our society increasingly looks down upon human interaction. How much better would the world be if people used their voices to engage in conversation with others, regardless of their views?
How much better would the world be if we didn’t treat those we disagree with as less than human?
How much better would it be if we dared to speak our minds against the bad things that society has wrongfully labeled as “normal?”
In many ways, speaking is scary because we have no idea what to expect in response. But as Pope Benedict XVI said, “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness.”
God gave us the gift of speech for a reason, and we have the power to use it for good.
We must speak out for the betterment of our nation. Nobody deserves to brutally lose their life at the hands of a perpetrator who acted coldheartedly, in silence.
God Bless.