The assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk this week at Utah Valley University was a chilling reminder of how fragile our civic fabric has become. Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while addressing students at a campus event. Authorities are still searching for a suspect in the killing.
No matter your politics, violence is never an answer. It silences voices instead of challenging them. It deepens divides instead of bridging them. And it corrodes the very democracy that depends on vigorous, but peaceful, debate.
Here in Jackson Hole, the news carries special weight. Teton County has long stood apart from the rest of Wyoming politically, trending liberal in a state that overwhelmingly votes conservative. That contrast often plays out in sharp words at town halls, in local letters to the editor, and across kitchen tables.
But over the last decade, something deeper has shifted: Jackson has increasingly become a one-sided political town. Liberal voices dominate public discourse, while conservatives, once a stronger presence, have grown quieter, feeling unwelcome. That imbalance doesn’t just silence half the community; it weakens the ability of Jackson to wrestle honestly with its challenges.
If anywhere can prove that political disagreement doesn’t have to become political hatred, it’s here. Jackson still embodies something many places have lost: community ties that run deeper than party lines. We share the same trails, schools, rivers, and small-town rhythms. The foundation is there for a healthier conversation—if we choose to rebuild it.
This moment calls for leadership, and not just from elected officials. It’s a call to all of us. To listen first, speak with empathy, and remember that the person across from you is a neighbor before they’re an opponent. To create space where both conservative and liberal perspectives can be aired without fear of ridicule or dismissal. To keep debates focused on real issues—housing, transportation, conservation—instead of importing the national shouting matches that divide us further.
Jackson can set the tone for Wyoming by modeling respectful conversation. That doesn’t mean softening convictions. It means holding them with humility, curiosity, and the courage to hear the other side, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Charlie Kirk’s assassination is a national tragedy. Our local response can be a powerful antidote: A recommitment to dialogue over division, civility over cynicism, and respect over rancor.
If Jackson can do that, if it can once again become a place where both sides feel heard, it won’t just set an example for the rest of Wyoming. It will show the country that even in a time of fractures and fear, communities can choose to stand together.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
Love this! Thank you!