President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 while attending a play at Ford’s Theater.
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 while riding through Dealey Plaza in Dallas.
Several other presidents have had assassination threats or attempts. There have also been many violent acts toward other elected officials at all levels – including the shooting on Jan. 8 in Ariz. that targeted U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords.
Ottawa City Manager and adjunct professor of American Government Richard Nienstedt said he doesn’t think violence is the word to use when describing such acts.
“I have to confess that I do not subscribe to the theory that there is violence in politics. Incivility, yes; violence, no,” Nienstedt said.
Associate faculty member and Chair of the Social Sciences Division, Tonia Salvini said people need to be careful about what they say.
“We need to think about our language,” she said. “Threats must be taken seriously.”
Junior Jake McMillian said he thinks violence can be attributed to several things.
“I think it comes from a lot of places,” he said. “Political rhetoric says ‘if you don’t agree with me, therefore you are stupid and wrong.’ People act on what other people say and make scary decisions. What we say makes a difference.”
The person being charged in the Arizona shooting is 22-year-old Jared Loughner who has had a short history with the law and is believed to have mental health issues.
“The violent acts that you reference as well as the one that occurred last week were committed by individuals who, admittedly, has strong political views but they were also mentally ill which I believe is a bigger factor that we as a society do not pay attention to,” Nienstedt said.
Nienstedt also said he thinks there are several factors that come together to make a person act out in such a manner.
“Do I think that political discourse gets too shrill from time to time? Yes. Do I think that we ought to be able to disagree without being disagreeable? Yes. Do I think we have that type of disagreement prevalent throughout our everyday lives? Yes. Do I think that politics alone causes a person to do a violent act against another? No,” Nienstedt said.
Salvini said people need to question their thoughts before they act on them.
“People need to think ‘what are my intentions?'” Salvini said. “We need to accept some responsibility for humanity.”
McMillian said college students need to be more active in the political process.
“It’s important for college students to be aware and active,”
McMillian said. “If you don’t vote and aren’t active, your voice isn’t being heard.”
Salvini said acting out with violent behavior is something that can be prevalent in college students and universities need to make sure they have proper health services for students.
“Risk ages for this type of behavior are teenagers through post college,” Salvini said. “College campuses will need to start boosting services.”
Nienstedt said people can learn from tragic events to become better citizens.
“Let’s use this tragic opportunity to recommit to two important actions: be more aware of mental illness and the signs that may manifest it in an individual before they decide to do such a horrendous action of this nature,” he said. “Let’s commit to practicing civility in every element of our lives and relationships and hold our government representative to that standard.”
McMillian said Americans should take advantage of the opportunities and freedoms we have that other countries don’t.
“We as American people are blessed that we can vote and have a voice,” McMillian said. “If you aren’t active and aware you are spitting in the faces of those people in other countries that can’t vote but wish they could and the faces of those people that are trying to get stuff done.”