Charles James Kirk was an American conservative political commentator, author, and media personality, who encouraged vigorous debate at college campuses around the country. He was either beloved or hated by millions and was responsible for enthusiastic conversations from coast to coast.

When he was shot dead in what police are calling a targeted shooting on September 10th while hosting a college event for Turning Point USA, Americans came out of the woodwork to either praise or vilify the man, his message, or his movement.

Now I am happy to have friends on both sides of the political aisle, but what I have seen in the days since the shooting, however, has made me reconsider some of those friendships, and that saddens me.

Many have been furiously pounding away at their keyboards, blaming the “other side” for creating the environment that caused something like this to happen. They justify their anger with memes and yelling and, while trying not to point fingers, are constantly pointing their fingers at each other. They scream in ALL CAPS and cannot believe that, despite sharing their "facts," any reasonable person can believe something else.

As each new day and each new revelation unfolds, I have seen long, angry, factually incorrect posts quietly disappear without a trace, or even a mea culpa. No need to let the world see your mistakes when you can do a quick erase and re-write.

Since everyone seems to be sharing their life philosophies, maybe I should share mine, too, and I promise no yelling in caps. Here we go:

Listen more than you talk, and we can learn together.

Care more than you judge, and we can grow together.

Love more than you hate, and we can come together.

Be still instead of 1000 miles per hour, and, surprisingly, we can move forward together.

Stop thirsting for online affirmation and relevance while losing your humanity. We can be more than the sum of our parts. I’ve found I can learn more from others by simply listening and asking questions without prejudice. Being better to each other is a hill I’m willing to die on. We speak loudest when we whisper our truth.

Peace and love from Jonny Bird