No matter your political affiliation, we can all agree that violence has no place in our democracy. Yet, the recent murders of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk are tragic reminders of what happens when political disagreement turns into hate. When individuals are targeted for their beliefs, our democracy weakens, and our communities suffer.
This is not the first time our nation has faced such turmoil. The 1960s and 1970s were marked by political and ideological violence. From four students being killed at Kent State, to the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 for his support of Israel, and the bombings of churches and universities throughout the country.
Those acts were fueled by intolerance of differing opinions. The same motivations are resurfacing today, but the modern accelerant is clear: social media.
Social media has become a powerful amplifier of outrage. It punishes people for working together and rewards those who divide. When an elected official reaches across the aisle to collaborate, that act of courage is often met with online hostility.
The loudest, most extreme voices dominate the conversation while the majority who value cooperation are drowned out. As a result, too many public officials, and even private citizens — hesitate to work together, fearing the public backlash more than they value the benefit of progress. What is the true cost of social media chaos?
That cannot be who we are as a country, and it is not who we are in the Dayton region. Here, our business and civic communities are built on collaboration, trust, and respect. Those values are the backbone of our region’s success. We must lead by example and show that working together isn’t a weakness — it’s our greatest strength.
Dayton can be a model for the nation. We reject political violence, refuse to reward divisiveness, and prove that civil discourse and cooperation lead to prosperity.
Let this be the turning point where we choose partnership over polarization, and remind the country what it means to be united in purpose.
Chris Kershner is the CEO and president of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.