Ben West: A Call for Civility in an Age of Division
Published on Hoodviewnews.com
In the wake of the tragic assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West is urging Americans to recommit to open dialogue and reject political violence. In his Hoodview News column “Let’s Keep Talking,” West reflects on Kirk’s legacy as a champion of free speech and reasoned debate, emphasizing that no one should face harm for expressing differing views. He warns that when communication breaks down—between individuals, communities, or nations—conflict and division inevitably follow. West points to the rise of extremist violence, including ongoing unrest in nearby Portland, as a symptom of this deeper cultural fracture. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, he argues, society must defend the right to disagree peacefully. By choosing conversation over confrontation, West says, we honor both Kirk’s memory and the shared humanity that binds us all.
Content credit to Hoodviewnews.com
