UnitedHealth CEO shot

History is full of lessons about the consequences of oppression and that’s a big part of what has shaped my thoughts about this event. It isn’t necessary to condone or encourage violence to understand the historical role it plays when people feel otherwise powerless. In this case, we might not know the shooter’s motive but we understand the economic and systemic realities that are framing how a lot of people feel about this.

The shooter will likely be brought to justice in one way or another. I’m much more concerned about the mounting problems that have created a bleak future that can push desperate people to take extreme actions.

How does people advocating for and excusing murder help to stop that bleak future? In my mind, it only contributes to it.

And history is also full of lessons about how often times violent revolutions end up creating as bad or worse situations than they were prior to the violent revolution. There are exception to be sure, but not very many.