She says we need to lower the tone when it come to political discussions.
Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-6th Md)
Washington DC (KM) Last week’s assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk reminds us that we need to lower our voices when it comes to political dialog. That’s according to Maryland’s 6th District Representative, April McClain Delaney.
“I offer my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Kirk family,” she said.
But some other Americans have responded with angry and hateful comments about the incident, and consider people who disagree with them as enemies. “I’m just so sad at this time for our country,” she said. “The assassination was horrifying and we have to come together.”
Kirk, was shot and killed on Wednesday, September 10th at Utah Valley University as he addressed a large audience in an outdoor debate. The shooting drew condemnation for both sides. A suspect, identified as Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody on Friday, September 12th.
McClain Delaney says there have been other victims of political violence in this country “It’s not just Charlie Kirk. You remember Minnesota State Rep Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, were assassinated in their home earlier this summer. This is something for all of us. and our national tone has to change,” she said.
One way to change that tone, says McClain Delaney, is to lower our voices when it comes to debates. “But it’s starting in our neighborhoods in local communities. Just start listening to one another–not vilifying—hearing one another,” she says.
“None of us are all right or all wrong,” she continues.
Along with regular people, McClain Delaney says political leaders need to practice civility in the political arena. “The tone has to start also at the top as well. And our elected leaders, and our community leaders need to take charge, and also how we need to model civility,” she says.
In her comments, Representative McClain Delaney gave praise to two state leaders from trying to lower the volume in the country when it comes to political debate. “I commend Governor {Spencer} Cox of Utah for working with our Maryland Governor–Governor Moore, Wes Moore–and they’ve been working on civil dialog. and just agreeing better. I think as members of Congress we have to help set this tone. We have to lift up in this electrified time,”: she said.
“It’s impossible to love America without loving your fellow Americans,” McClain Delaney continues. “I don’t want to be in a place where everybody looks like me, worships like me, thinks like me because it’s not America. Our diversity is our strength and that we need to stand together and defend the promise of America. And I feel so strongly about that.”
By Kevin McManus