When Passion Turns Dangerous: From Disagreement to Division

How unchecked conflict undermines communities, reputations, and the very people we aim to serve

The Slippery Slope of Disagreement

The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk is a sobering reminder of how quickly disagreement can escalate. What may begin as a simple conversation around a dinner table—“I don’t agree with this person’s ideas”—can easily slide into passion, then into anger, then into hate. Left unchecked, that progression can end in violence.

But violence doesn’t always come in the form of bullets. In small towns, city councils, and community boards, it can appear as something far less visible but equally destructive: the weaponization of rules and regulations. When procedures, ordinances, or even “unwritten rules” are used specifically to block or punish a particular person or group, the outcome is the same—harm, division, and collateral damage to families and communities.

The Community is Watching

And here’s the hard truth: the very businesses and citizens we are trying to help see all of this. They notice the division between groups and individuals. They hear the bickering and see the roadblocks. Many of us have already experienced this in conversations with business owners and private citizens who are quick to point out how damaging infighting can be.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming they are uninformed—on the contrary, they are paying close attention, and our reputation can and will suffer if we fail to rise above petty disputes.

Collateral Damage and Lost Opportunities

Every individual being targeted has family, friends, and a community connected to them. The fallout extends far beyond the immediate dispute. Sometimes, in fact, the heavy-handed approach backfires—drawing more support to the very idea or person you intended to silence.

Just because an idea isn’t yours doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. Often, disagreement is an opportunity—an opening to refine, expand, and even elevate an idea into something bigger and better.

A Call to Action

Our call to action must be clear: choose peace, pursue collaboration, and focus on solutions—not sabotage.

When we commit to listening first, working together second, and building toward a shared future, we not only strengthen our communities but also show the businesses and citizens around us that we are worthy of their trust and support.

Division weakens. Collaboration builds. The choice is ours.