Enough!

When my kids were little and they would argue, I would tell them ENOUGH! I had had enough of their arguing.

This is precisely how I felt last Thursday afternoon when I found out about the shooting of Charlie Kirk. I also felt extreme sorrow. My sorrow was not just for his family but also for our nation.

I’ve had my fill of hatred and meanness and yelling and blaming and all of the political rhetoric. What are we teaching our kids and grandkids?

Did I agree with everything Charlie Kirk said? No. If you think I am a Republican or a Democrat, you are wrong. I’m this 70-year-old woman standing in the aisle.

Remember what the aisle looked like? It’s where people used to come together to have a conversation. People could have rational discussions and, at worst, agree to disagree. They could even remain friends.

Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard

An evil has entered our nation, not from foreign countries but from within our own borders. I am appalled at the capacity for hate. Anyone who thinks any violence is okay, stay away from my table.

Charlie Kirk invited people to have conversations. He listened. Like I said, I didn’t always agree with him, but he cared about the people of the United States. He wanted young people to have a voice … to be heard. Many disagreed with him, but he listened.

The day before the shooting, I saw a social media post by my friend, Kurt Meyer, that showed a sticker that had been placed on a light pole in downtown Noblesville. Four words that spewed hate. I won’t tell you what the words were, but they were evil and have no place in my community.

You will often find me around town having coffee and conversations with people who look nothing like me, who do not worship like I do or love like I do. They are my friends. We have wonderful conversations. We appreciate and respect our differences. Don’t you dare speak ill of them in my presence.

I love inviting people to sit at my table and chat. If you sit down with me and start raising your voice or start finger-pointing or try to entice me into an argument … I will ask you to leave. Evil will never find a seat at my table.

And while I’m on my soapbox, I will say we have too many pots calling the kettles, black.

There is no excuse for violence. NONE. We have people brandishing evil words that entice others to brandish their guns. Don’t get me started on the gun laws. Some who may be reading this would not like my opinions. I had grandkids in school the day there was a shooting at one of the Noblesville schools. Kids should not have to have safety drills in case of an active shooter. Kids should never fear going to school or church.

If you are at my table and you excuse ANY violence, I will ask you to leave.

Charlie Kirk defended freedom of speech. For the third time in this, I will again say, I did not agree with all of Charlie Kirk’s views, BUT I do agree with his willingness to have conversations. He lived his Faith.

While I am here in this quagmire of opinion, I will take a risk and call out to our elected officials who use words to stir the manure as well as the hate … you were not elected to push the great divide even wider. While I am here in the aisle, I look to my left and to my right. Yes, I’m speaking to both sides.

It was 24 years ago this week that I sat in my living room, wiping tears, as I watched the airplane hit the second tower. Evil had invaded the United States. On Thursday, there were more tears as evil appeared from within. Twenty-four years ago, “We, the People” came together. Today, “We, the People” have never been more divided.

Charlie Kirk was an outspoken conservative. This could have happened to someone who is an outspoken liberal. Speaking his beliefs cost Charlie his life. It should never happen. I’m just here in the aisle trying to make sense of all this. Sadly, there is nothing about this that makes sense.

As a woman of Faith, I look to the scriptures when life doesn’t make sense. I read Genesis 50:20 NLT, which says, You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. This is the promise of Redemption.

My prayer is that someday, “We the People” can meet in the aisle…I’ll be waiting.

So here I am, a woman standing in the aisle. I’ve been given a voice, and at 70 years old, I’m not afraid to use it. I do not take it lightly that I can use my words in the Hamilton County Reporter to try to make a difference. Today it is just one word…ENOUGH!

Like I said at the beginning of this column…I’ve had ENOUGH!

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.