The last race lynching in the US was in 1981. That was around the time that the N-word became unacceptable in Middle America. I don’t think that’s coincidence; dehumanizing language contributes to dehumanizing behavior.
Yesterday was Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. This is a day of repentance and atonement. Even my secular Jewish friends fast and go to temple.
Yesterday I was knocked into wakefulness by an early-morning text from a British friend. There’d been an attack on a synagogue in Manchester, and she was worried for someone. This wasn’t the first time I’ve had this call; my late friend Helen was a caregiver for two of the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in 2018.
It’s possible to disagree with Israeli policies without being anti-Jewish, but that is not the same thing as uninformed, casual, antisemitic language that now frequently goes unchallenged. Although hate crimes against Jews are rising at a faster rate, hate crimes against Christians are up as well. So is anti-Christian rhetoric.
I’m not Mormon or Catholic or Jewish, but I coexist with them in peace and affection. Why does that seem so hard for some people?
I’m pretty sure that none of you are inclined to assault people you disagree with. But to the degree that we’re silent about dehumanizing language—or even worse, use it—we’re complicit in violence.
Our attitude toward killing is relaxing
An Emerson College poll in December 2024 found that 41% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 considered the killing of a CEO at least ‘somewhat acceptable’. Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk in September 2025, a YouGov poll found that 20% of Gen Z believed political violence could sometimes be justified. And an August 2024 survey from Citizen Data reported that only 44% of Gen Z found it ‘never acceptable’ to kill or physically harm elected officials. Thanks, video games and dark web.
I share concern and frustration with our current climate. But once you accept killing as a solution to anything, you open the door to accepting it as the solution to everything you disagree with. That’s why our ancestors were unshakeable in their belief that murder was a mortal sin.
Stochastic terrorism is a term that was invented in the early 2000s. It’s a theory that inflamed public rhetoric raises the risk of ideologically-motivated violence. It’s unproven, but, boy, do we seem to be mired in a soup of public hostility.
What can we do about it?
Anecdotally, it seems that many recent assassins seem to be socially-isolated and/or mentally-ill men. If you know someone who fits this pattern, keep reaching out to them and pray for them—even when they’re driving you nuts.
In my experience, mentally-ill people respond to what’s around them. You may be speaking rhetorically when you say you want to kill someone, but the crazy person can internalize that. Sadly, mental illness is increasing in the US.
We artists have a voice; let’s use it for peace. I’m having a hard time dragging myself out of my comfort zone (landscape) into more meaningful painting, but I’m trying. How can you do that?
“The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us,” Erika Kirk said after her husband was killed. That’s a very tough standard to live up to, but the cycle of anger has to stop somewhere. For me, it stops here.
Registration is now open for workshops in 2026! Reserve your spot:
- Advanced Plein Air Painting | Rockport, ME, July 13-17, 2026
- Sea & Sky | Acadia National Park, ME, August 2–7, 2026
- Find your Authentic Voice in Plein Air | Berkshires, MA, August 10-14, 2026
- New! Color Clinic 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 3-4, 2026
- New! Composition Week 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 5-9, 2026
Can’t commit to a full workshop? Work online at your own pace:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I follow you each morning despite the fact I have not painted in over a year. However, I stay with “the program” but today, today was most important. You spoke for me, for so many. We need to somehow go forward–together.
I think that’s a one-day-at-a-time thing… we see what needs to be done and do it.
If only we could get back to some semblance of civility…
Amen!
Well spoken – or should I say “written” with many good points. Thank you!
Thank you, Julie!
Fear is the enemy of love and peace. Do not believe all the words that are spoken to raise fear about anything. Thank you Carol for speaking out for peace.
Thank you, Annett. Our media is a cesspool of fear-mongering, and social media is right up there with it.
Thank you, Carol, for sharing your voice on this crucial issue.
Sadly, I’m probably preaching to the choir here…
We are the choir – and choir becomes fatigued when the energy around us seems immersed with hate. Keep on preaching for reminders, soul sustenance, and knowing we are not alone in this.
Thank you, friend.