On September 10, 2025, a man named Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University. His death sparked controversy as many began to argue about it online. Kirk was known for his radicalized and conservative views. He spoke often about his views on gun rights stating in 2023, “I think it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.”
Considering Kirk made this statement and since Kirk was shot and killed while answering a gun violence related question, many people fled to social media to discuss it. Some mourned his death while others claimed the situation to be ironic.
People debated free speech, gun rights, and more. While I think people will endlessly argue about those subjects, I also think everyone can agree that Charlie Kirk should have been safe while speaking on a public-school campus.
According to CNN, “There have been 53 school shootings in the United States so far this year, as of September 23.” That’s terrifying. Gun violence plagues our society. Students have a right to feel safe at school, but not everybody does. Instead of arguing about Kirk’s death, people need to take the opportunity that’s been given to them: we as a people need to focus on what can be done to prevent more death, especially from gun violence.
While it might not seem like it, it’s possible to civilly and simultaneously agree with some people on certain things while disagreeing with them on others. However, this isn’t something we see very much these days due to extremely polarized political views.
There are multiple reasons for this dramatic polarization, one of them being how common it is for people to blindly adapt their parents’ or their favorite social media influencer’s political views.
There’s a reason that today politicians and political activists (like Charlie Kirk) have large presences on social media. It’s because the younger generations are the future of America. Gen Z and Gen Alpha haven’t fully formed their political views yet; they are more impressionable than Millennials and older generations so that’s who politicians want to gain favor with.
However, influential individuals shouldn’t be so driven to share their opinions in hopes of convincing others to join a specific political party. Human compassion and values are what need to be shared not information “trashing” others for what they believe in.
Political differences can lead to and have led to group polarization and unresolved issues. While not everyone contributes to this, if you’re silent, are you complicit?
Misinformation is one of the reasons why using opportunities to learn about different viewpoints and views that challenge your own is so important. Because in doing so, you can form your own opinion – one that’s truly your own.
It sounds easier than it is, but listening is key.
I believe that listening can help us make the world better. No good comes from solely bashing each other online or hating one another. Even if that means you listen then agree to disagree, if you take something away from the conversation other than more hate, that’s progress and progress is important.
On September 5, a group of Highland students joined a national effort and walked out of school in a call for action. They advocated for legislative change regarding gun violence with hopes that their voices would be heard and schools in America would be safer. While news sources covered the nationwide walkout, there hasn’t been any significant change.
We need to reduce school gun violence because we care about students, it shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Whether kids are part of your neighborhood, social circle or friend group, all responsible adults should care about their safety. However, this issue also isn’t just a problem for the youth or the adults. It’s on the shoulders of everyone, including the school.
Schools need to actively look for ways to make students feel safe. This means doing more than what has been done in the past. For example, a few years ago the school district spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on weapon detections systems. Not only were they proven to be ineffective and more a nuisance than a helpful safety precaution at Highland, but they now sit in a closet, collecting dust. Something more must be done.
Students are begging for protection at school, but adults can’t be civil enough to make compromises to provide them with the safety they deserve. Kids don’t have the power to change policies which means adults need to step up and lead by example.
It’s sad that some people won’t listen until they’ve been personally affected by a school shooting. It’s sad that kids are the ones who have to beg adults to listen to reason. It’s sad that this political violence hasn’t come to an end and may not. But things don’t have to be this way.
The first step is listening.