After the recent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, calls for unity and healing have emerged from both sides of the political spectrum. Politicians, the media, and activists have been urged to embrace the words of Abraham Lincoln and work towards putting aside heated rhetoric and division. In the aftermath of the shooting, left-wing social media expressed regret that the shooter had not been successful, while right-wing sites blamed Democrats for promoting violent rhetoric.
This incident has brought back memories of past events where political targeting has led to violence. The shooting of Arizona Democrat Gabrielle Giffords in 2010, who was one of the targeted members of Congress following Sarah Palin’s map of crosshairs on districts, serves as a reminder of the consequences of such rhetoric. In times of national tragedy, such as after 9/11, the country came together in unity, but over time, divisions reemerged.
Suggestions have been made for current congressional leadership to come together in a show of unity, as they did after 9/11. Calls have been made for a pledge to tone down divisive rhetoric and for President Biden and Donald Trump to sign on to show that the other party is not seen as an enemy. The power of kindness and unity in overcoming hate and division has been emphasized, calling for action from all Americans to truly bring the country together. While cynicism exists regarding the ability for true unity to be achieved, the potential for change through actions and not just statements has been highlighted.
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