It has been a brutal week in America and I'm not the only one wondering whether the country can pull itself out of this spiral of hatred and violence.
After one of the most searing assassinations in US history, the governor of Utah pleaded for Americans to turn down the political temperature. But hardly anyone that I've spoken to since Charlie Kirk's death thinks that will be the path the country will choose. Not anytime soon, at least.
Recent history is full of examples where America has chosen not to come together after a tragedy. It didn't happen 14 years ago after a Democratic congresswoman was shot in the head in Arizona. Nor eight years ago, when a Republican congressman was shot during baseball practice. Americans didn't even come together in the face of a global pandemic. In fact, Covid made divisions worse.
The reason is simple yet hard to change. The incentives that fuel American political life reward those that turn up the heat, not those who seek to dial tensions down. You’re more likely to get elected if you appeal to your base rather than the center, turning politics into a zero-sum game.
Despite calls for unity, the political camps have quickly reverted to their divisive narratives concerning Kirk’s assassination. Some blame radical internet subcultures, while others dive into conspiracy theories. It seems there’s little appetite for reconciliation.
In stark contrast, Governor Spencer Cox of Utah has called for Americans to take a breath and engage more positively with their communities. His appeal stands out in a political landscape that typically rewards outrage.
With America on this dangerous path, the call for a leader with the strength to broker peace has never been more relevant. It remains to be seen whether the nation can navigate this turmoil and emerge stronger, but historical context suggests that every moment of division carries the potential for growth, if approached with the right leadership and desire for unity.