Shooting Was America's Wake-Up Call: Will We Listen? [OPINION]

An assassination attempt on an American President. Something that hasn't happened in this country since 1981. Like President Reagan before him, former President Trump appears lucky to be alive. The images and video that were on repeat this weekend were shocking. America was given a wake-up call. But how many of us were listening?

The political climate in our country is unlike any in my memory. I've been of voting age since 1992. While I can remember candidates and parties disagreeing over policy and direction, I don't ever remember a time when both sides of the aisle thought the other was a threat and the 'enemy'. Social media amplifies these talking points as does splintered media. Suddenly we're attacking friends, neighbors, and co-workers because of an 'R' or a 'D' next to their name.

Getty Images

Saturday's attack was a terrible moment in our nation's history. What makes it even more difficult is that it comes in the midst of a heated election. The tone and tenor of comments following the attempt on President Trump's life have, for the most part, talked about lowering the temperature of the political debate in our country. And while leaders from both parties have all said and done the right thing thus far, how long will it last? What else needs to be done?

I can only tell you my own feelings, and my own path going forward. In the past, I too have taken part in heated and derogatory political rhetoric. I've argued with people on social media and said things I'm not proud of. But even in my anger at the political establishment, I never wanted something like Saturday to happen. The gunshots heard on Saturday need to serve as OUR wake-up call. Lower the temperature. Don't give in to the noise of extremists on BOTH sides of the aisle. Yes, hold our elected officials accountable for their actions, but realize that we are not two tribes on Survivor Island separated by a 'D' or an 'R'. We are Americans. There is nothing that we can't accomplish if we work together.

So before you crack a joke at work today, or send a clever meme you found on X, ask yourself this. What am I doing to make things better? What more has to happen before you answer our nation's wake-up call?