I am writing this on Sept. 11, 2025. Twenty-four years ago today, this country was attacked by radicalized terrorists. For a while, as we worked through the recovery, shock and grief, we stood as a people united. Our differences were put aside. For a while.
On Wednesday, a young man was murdered. No matter what your thoughts are about him, remember the most important thing: A young man was murdered. Little information about the shooter and shooting did not stop many from immediately speaking out to blame one group or another and demand revenge. Almost unnoticed here in Colorado, we had another school shooting shortly afterward. A student shot two others and then committed suicide. I believe that these two incidents are related.
They are related to the rhetoric of hatred that one can find everywhere and all of the time. We no longer have a civil society or the ability to actually engage in dialogue when it comes to our politics. We have descended into a political tribalism that is tearing apart our democracy and unity. We no longer look for our common ground. The tribalistic view becomes “us vs. them.” People are no longer looked at as fellow citizens who are our neighbors and part of our society to work with. This leads to the belief that everyone who does not look like, worship like, believe or act like either side is the enemy to be removed from society. Both parties engage in identity politics, turning their opponents into a stereotype that they can blame for everything and conclude that if one person commits an atrocity, everyone on that side is guilty of it.
We are seeing this play out over Wednesday’s murder. The posts and comments on social media are a case in point. “The Democrats are evil and dangerous.” “The left is made up of violent, intolerant people.” Those are just two of the comments I’ve seen, apparently forgetting that just two months ago a right-wing fanatic murdered a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota and had a hit list of others. “He did so much to preach hatred that it is better that he is gone.” That comment shows such a lack of empathy and respect for human life as to be almost unbelievable.
When you look at those you disagree with as the enemy, this kind of rhetoric becomes the norm. The step between the rhetoric and murder becomes shorter. It takes only one person who takes that leap to start off the attacks and counterattacks. Our children see this happening. They feel it every day. The escalation continues. Youths see that violence is an acceptable solution to their problems.
It is up to all of us to take a long look at the way we view those with whom we disagree. If you believe that political violence and killing is justified, you should take a hard look at yourself and question what has led you to that conclusion. When you read an article or see a headline that you disagree with, think twice before you comment. Is your comment based on fact and reason or is it just a rant using anger and stereotypes to belittle the other person? Think about the way you talk about issues at home. It is up to us to tamp this down now, before it is too late.
Scott Perez is a former working cowboy, guide and occasional actor. He earned a master’s degree in natural resource management from Cornell University and lives in the Animas River Valley.
