As I write about the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, in the background on my television, the names of the nearly 3,000 killed on 9/11 are being read.
What they all share in common is the senseless and undignified end of their lives, and we are given yet another violent instance that the past is prologue. I mourn the passing of Kirk’s life, no matter our ideological differences, because his sudden and uncalled-for death does not advance our cause; in fact, it may set it back since he is sure to be recognized and celebrated.
Even now, there is word that he will be the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That Kirk has been so violently taken from us is not something I wished for or applaud, and I certainly did not want the success of two attempts on President Trump’s life.
But a question must be asked: Are we in a season of political violence so reminiscent of the 1960s?
We need our adversaries alive so that our ideas can be debated, so we can expose the flaws in their thinking and the power of our insight.
Every year since the 9/11 attacks, I wait to hear the name of Margaret Mattic, one of the casualties, who was a student of mine in Detroit when I taught at Wayne State University.
Now, as her name resounds, I think of Mr. Kirk and realize again, as the great poet John Donne wrote, each death diminishes us.
I simply long for the days in 1990 when the Amsterdam news was a strong paper; nearly as strong as the city sun. The one writer who wrote a loving tribute to khallid Abdul Muhammad upon his passing was Alton Henry Maddox jr. Why does “ cholly smirk” frighten you so much.