In the Face of Tragedy, I Choose Unity
By Isaiah Kawesa
I must respond — not just with words, but with action.
In the aftermath of the Dallas ICE facility shooting, my heart is heavy. I am grieving with families who have lost loved ones, and I feel the same fear and uncertainty that so many across Texas are feeling right now. It shakes me to my core to realize that once again, violence has stolen lives and left us reeling. I am overwhelmed, I am sad, and I am tired of moments like this — when we are forced to ask ourselves how much more we can take before something changes.
I know deep down that something must be done to prevent this from happening again. It’s in times like these that I remind myself of the importance of compassion and connection. As I mourn the lives lost, I feel the weight of this tragedy and know that I must respond — not just with words, but with action. For me, that means reaching across the aisle, proving our state motto of friendship to be true, and boldly choosing it over violence.
I know political violence damages the social fabric. It frays the trust between us and begins to erode our shared identity. Moments like this undermine the fact that 81% of Texans believe we have more in common than what divides us.
I also hold onto the truth that an overwhelming 86% of Texas voters believe it is important to reject political violence. That speaks to the ethos of who we are as Texans. Whether at a backyard BBQ or a high school football game, I know how we come together. The same energy that fires us up under Friday night lights or around a Saturday cookout with friends should inspire me — and all of us — to be just as passionate and authentic in our drive for unity. If I want those sacred parts of Texas life to live on, I must commit just as strongly to standing together across differences to protect them. That means focusing on what unites us, talking through what divides us, and fostering an atmosphere where we respect differences and reject violence.
I know that what happens here in Texas has an outsized impact on the nation. Which means the way I react in this moment matters. My priority now is to amplify calls for unity and to create opportunities for us to come together. I invite you to explore the resources available here and join me in doing your part.
