From Bullets to Ballots: Embracing Civility After the Trump Assassination Attempt

If an Enslaved Man Can Speak of Civility, So Can We

In today's politically charged climate, the words and actions of our ancestors offer valuable lessons. My great-grandfather, an enslaved man until the age of nineteen, embodied civility and perseverance despite the harshness of his circumstances. His legacy is a commentary on the power of unity and the rejection of divisive rhetoric, even in the face of immense adversity.

The Incident: Trump Assassination Attempt

The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has thrust political violence back into the national conversation. This incident is not an isolated event but part of a long history of political gun violence in America, from the assassinations of Presidents Garfield, Lincoln, and Kennedy to the attempted assassinations of Ford and Reagan. Each of these acts of violence has left an indelible mark on the nation's psyche, highlighting the persistent threat of domestic terror.

We Americans hate each other more than we hate our foreign rivals. This is not sustainable.

Recall the prescient words of James Baldwin from that great debate of 1965:

"Until the moment comes when we, the Americans, we the American people, are able to accept the fact that I have to accept, for example, that my ancestors are both white and black, that on that continent we are trying to forge a new identity for which we need each other... Until this moment, there is scarcely any hope for the American dream, because the people who are denied participation in it, by their very presence, will wreck it."

James Baldwin vs William F Buckley: The Legendary Cambridge Debate of 1965

Domestic Terror: Lynching and the Ku Klux Klan

The shadow of domestic terrorism has long loomed over America. Lynching and the Ku Klux Klan's violent campaigns, including the massacre of Black Wall Street, represent some of the darkest chapters in American history. My grandfather, Tandy Stroud, was acutely aware of these threats. In 1936, he became the first person in the Rocky Mountain Region to publish a newspaper, "The Voice of Colorado," (Source: Colorado College) to combat lynching, foster entrepreneurship and advocate for Black voting rights through legislation. As a Young Republican, he upheld the values of Lincoln's party, which had emancipated his parents.

Patti Davis: A Daughter's Perspective

The impact of political violence on families is profound, as illustrated by Patti Davis, daughter of President Ronald Reagan. She recalls the harrowing experience of her father's shooting in the 1980s and its lasting effect on her family.

Ms. Davis reflections on the impact of political violence on families, including her own experience with her father, Ronald Reagan, in her recent New York Times article, A Shooting Changes a Family. And It Can Change a Nation. A powerful quote from the piece is: "Having a loved one shot changes you, regardless of whether that loved one is famous. It unravels you in the first horrible, chaotic moments, and it rearranges you in the days and years afterward."

Rejecting Divisive Rhetoric: Lessons from My Grandfather

My great-grandfather, Rev. K.D. Stroud, denounced divisive rhetoric within his household. In a February 1939 article written by his daughter and published in The Atlantic, titled "Black Pride," Kimbal (Stroud) Goffman recounts how her father refused to allow Black newspapers that fostered racial hatred into their home. He believed that these papers did more harm than good by inflaming racial tensions and poisoning the minds of young Black children. His words remain relevant today: "We can't live in the same country with white people and rear our children to hate them."

"We can't live in the same country with white people and rear our children to hate them." - Formerly Enslaved, K.D. Stroud

The Military's Example: Unity in Diversity

My military background has shown me the strength that comes from unity and diversity. In Fallujah, American soldiers of all races fought and died together, symbolizing a commitment to universal ideals like freedom and democracy. The U.S. Congress and Senate, once composed of a high percentage of WWII veterans, operated more effectively, reflecting the benefits of shared experiences and mutual respect.

A recent Wall Street Journal article found Congress Got More Done When the Greatest Generation Ran It.

The World War II generation of veterans who served in Congress demonstrated remarkable bipartisanship and effectiveness, significantly contributing to major legislative achievements. Senators Phil Hart, Bob Dole, and Daniel Inouye exemplified this era, having formed bonds in a hospital that treated injured veterans.

At their peak in 1975, 81 out of 100 Senators were WWII veterans, fostering an environment where ideological differences were transcended by shared wartime experiences. This camaraderie led to the passage of landmark laws, including civil rights legislation and reforms to save Social Security. Today, the presence of veterans in Congress has sharply declined, with only 17 veterans in the Senate and 80 in the House, reflecting a diminished era of unity and legislative productivity.

Embracing Civility and Community

In short, we must reject the negative and divisive media that my great-grandfather opposed and instead focus on community and family. Let us not allow the inflammatory rhetoric of social and other media to invade our homes. Instead, we should debunk these harmful messages and promote unity. If an enslaved man, who endured the unimaginable, could advocate for civility, then we too can rise above our differences and strive for a more harmonious society.