The killing of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy, full stop. No one, regardless of their politics, should lose their life for speaking publicly. That so many Americans agree something is seriously wrong tells us we’re not just mourning a man, but reckoning with a culture that’s grown dangerously brittle.

We’ve normalized outrage, weaponized identity and turned disagreement into dehumanization. Our leaders should be guiding us toward common ground, not fueling division. The presidency, above all, should be a role of unity, not allegiance to one party or ideology.

These are perilous times. And while I don’t claim to have the solution, I know this: we need less spectacle, more stewardship. Less tribalism, more truth. We need leaders who calm the waters — not stir the storm.

Fran Lockwood
Phillips