As a former history teacher, we know that humans have failed to learn from the past, leading to the recurrence of similar mistakes and challenges across different eras. We find ourselves at another critical moment in history, surrounded by an atmosphere thick with anger and despair. 

Violence isn’t merely an isolated act; it has become a destructive cycle, relentlessly churning out more hatred and division.

Right now, America presents a disheartening picture of conflict, where simmering anger exists, and alarmingly, some individuals even cheer for it. Why? What has violence ever accomplished? What cause has an assassin’s bullet ever stopped? Death never stops a movement, nor silences a voice. It simply strengthens the cause of a martyr. 

This struggle transcends the conventional left-right divide; it touches the very essence of our shared humanity. If we allow disagreements to devolve into cruelty, we jeopardize not only our freedoms but also the fundamental ties that unite us as a society.

There are those who mistakenly believe that having strong convictions requires a foundation of bitterness or anger. However, we can maintain our resolve without resorting to hatred. 

Engaging in meaningful dialogue should never be equated with expressing rage. It is essential that we cultivate civility and compassion if we are to rise above the malaise that currently grips our nation. If we have devolved into a society that can no longer embrace these virtues, we risk rotting from within.

We have lost the ability to engage in civil discourse. We have lost those imdividuals who made an effort to reach across divides and engage their opponents in constructive conversations rather than tearing them down. Their absence leaves a significant void, and we feel the impact deeply.

Now is the time for us to awaken to this reality. Our shared humanity must take precedence over political affiliations, ideologies, and personal egos. Violence is a barren landscape, and hatred can never lead to healing.

In America, we should resolve our political disagreements through constructive dialogue, not physical confrontations, hostile exchanges or violence. We must confront the undeniable truth: at our core, we are all human beings, deserving of dignity and respect. Life is far too valuable to squander on animosity and division. 

This is the moment for compassion to take center stage. We must reject the alluring call of violence and embrace the challenging yet difficult work of understanding one another. 

Let us not forget that the true strength of our society resides not in our ability to shout the loudest, but in our capacity to listen, to love, and to genuinely care for one another. Together, we must build a future where compassion prevails, allowing all of us to thrive.

JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee