We hold these truths to be self-evident …

As I write this, Americans of all political persuasions are still trying to make sense of the senseless.

One week ago, the world watched as someone was assassinated during a political event.

In the aftermath, we saw discourse across the internet that was at times compassionate and tender— but also divisive and fearful.

These ongoing conversations make it clear that Kootenai County Democrats must reaffirm our core values.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all [human beings] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Here is our message to our Kootenai County conservative friends: You are safe in our spaces.

Any Kootenai County Democrat who condones political violence for any reason is not one of us.

If the drive for peace and the defense of the rights of all Americans are not the cornerstones of our public policy, then the American experiment falters.

Sen. Bernie Sanders said it well:

“Political violence, in fact, is political cowardice. It means that you cannot convince people of the correctness of your ideas, and you have to impose them through force.”

We will not wink or look away when confronted with dehumanizing language or threats of harm. If you see either, email [email protected] and, if appropriate, contact law enforcement.

If we cannot respect the humanity of those who disagree with us politically, then our country will remain at a stalemate, with wheels spinning endlessly in ugly personal attacks.

I call on every political leader in Kootenai County to make this the moment when we collectively commit to reinserting humanity into political discourse.

As we move forward, we can either allow this traumatic event to fracture us further, or we can let it remind us that difficult conversations can — and must — continue, but without the rage and personal attacks that so often poison them.

When we embrace our founding ideal that all people are created equal, we will fight for public policies that advance dignity and opportunity. We will personally commit to recognizing that our words have impact. We will teach the next generation that becoming a person of character and integrity is always more important than “owning” the other side. And we will use our First Amendment rights to create a true marketplace of ideas.

Most importantly, we must all work to drain political discourse of its violent venom. It’s time to look at each other as human beings again. That is the only way we can create a more perfect union.

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Sarah Martin is chairman of the Kootenai County Democrats.