Responding to the Assassination Attempt
As you all know, on July 13, former President Trump survived an assassination attempt. An immediate response to this was a call to “tone down the political rhetoric” that many consider playing into the environment that may have contributed to the decision of the gunman to try to shoot President Trump.
Violence, including the calls to violence, have no place in our political process, or as a part of our political advocacy and organizing!
The Unitarian Universalist Association (the Justice Center at All Peoples is a Unitarian Universalist based initiative) released this statement on July 14:
Unitarian Universalism believes in the right of free speech and the democratic process. Attacks like those at the political rally on July 13th weaken democracy, and the Unitarian Universalist Association condemns this attack. At a time when democracy is already at risk, these events will only make our political environment more precarious.
As we prepare to meet this moment, we must return to our spiritual grounding and faithful practice. Take a breath, reflect together, wait for emerging truth over quick speculation. Anchor yourself in communities and relationships that foster resilience, liberation, and strategy. Cultivate nuance and seek out deep wisdom, political analysis, and spiritual grounding, as misinformation will be rampant.
Our Unitarian Universalist tradition is rooted in the values of human dignity, justice, compassion and democratic principles. We will remain vigilant in our commitment to protecting our democracy and the integrity of its principles and the rights of all its people. Let us keep love at the center. We are in this together.
This is a time, yes for us to remember that we are connected and tho we firmly/passionately disagree with what is best for our country, we all do believe in working for what is best for our contry! This is also a time when we need to remember that we are indeed, “in this together” and that by being together, we’ll find/create our way forward. This is a time to reflect on how we speak out truths, with our full passion and commitment, in ways that center our foundation of love, and our practice of dignifying all people.
I have heard a number of people express questions or concerns about how to speak their truth in this particular moment in ways that do not (or are not perceived to be) contributing to the “political heat.” To that end, I want to offer some of what I try to practice:
- Speaking our truth does not require that I mention anyone else. I can speak my truths without calling anyone else in or out. I can speak my truth without condeming or labeling anyone or any group. EVEN when someone responds to my actions or statement by namecalling or labelling me, I can respond by not reacting to that and restate my truths
- I try not to attribute motivations to what others believe, or why they believe what they believe, or what they believe is their truth. I can’t know why people (especially people with whom I have little or no relationship) think, do or believe that they do.
- I do not engage in arguments or debates on social media. I’ll say my piece, and people can let me/us know that they disagree with all or part of what I state. I find social media a lousy place to try and hold an argument or debate.
- I can choose if and how to respond to other’s comments, statements or messages. I often do better by taking a pause between hearing or seeing something and writing/saying a response. I need time to hear my truth, and figure out how to best say what it is I wanna say!
In this current political season, there is a lot that is being said that is harming people (mosty people who have a long history of being harmed); and a lot of policy statements that promise to harm vulnerable and marginalized people. We have a duty to continue to raise our voices (individually and collectively) to the harm that is being perptrated, and do what we can to stop it!
And to do so in ways that are grounded in love.
