We are Ohioans by birth, residence and family ties.
The three of us have worked around the world in more than 30 war zones and fragile countries including Afghanistan, the Balkans, Liberia, South Sudan and Honduras.
We have learned about the ravages of war and know firsthand what violence and conflict does to humanity. For these reasons, we are aware political violence can and often does lead to war, like we see in Ukraine now.Â
You might be thinking it can’t happen here. But consider the following:Â
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What we are witnessing in Ukraine seems unfathomable, but the signs were there for those of us who work on political violence and democratic erosion.
Here at home, it seems unbelievable our fellow Americans would use violence and other means to reverse the results of our election, but the signs were also there. Are we really ready to pursue political change through violence? Â
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So we are deeply concerned not only about the war in Ukraine, but also the fragility of peaceful democracy here at home.
Ohio is the seventh most populous state in the U.S. with a strong history of political balance and bipartisan dialogue. It has produced seven U.S. presidents, and has a proud legacy of advocacy for the abolition of slavery and as a major stop on the Underground Railroad.
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It is the home of flight, innovation and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, serving as the place to negotiate peace in the last major European war. Ohioans are proud of this history and their midwestern values. Â
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The past few years have stressed our communities in many ways.
We are entering a contentious election year, still combatting a pandemic, and wrestling with political challenges such as the drawing of new legislative districts and disinformation about the legitimacy of the 2020 election.
Many Ohioans likely will be experiencing new trauma watching Russia’s war unfold.Â
With all this pressure, we urge Ohioans to take a pause.
Politics in Ohio should not be a zero sum game. It should not lead us down a path towards intergroup hatred and justifications for violence.
Fortunately, Ohioans are recognizing the risks of political violence and preparing to prevent it.
In November, experts, academics and community members gathered at the Human Rights Center at the University of Dayton to examine what is being and should be done to avoid political violence here.Â
The Department of Homeland Security has a new liaison for Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia to partner with local communities to establish tools to prevent political violence.
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We encourage Ohioans to join efforts to help keep violence out of our politics. At the community level, have conversations with neighbors and community members about risks and trends, and reinforce community norms against violence and intergroup hatred.
At the state and local level, ask political leaders what preparations they are making to respond to threats of political violence, and demand they refrain from using inflammatory or extremist language that might stoke it.
At the national level, work with organizations such as Urban Rural Action and Braver Angels to bring people together to promote depolarization and constructive problem-solving.
There is always more we can do to reinforce the best in us, and mitigate the worst. We can always disagree; it is a choice to do so non-violently.
Ohio can lead the nation by example, keep our political debates civil, our democracy strong and our path non-violent. If we work at it.Â
For more information send email to hrc@udayton.edu.
Shelley Inglis is the executive director of the University of Dayton Human Rights Center.
Dan Tirrell is the senior transition advisor in the Office of Transition Initiatives at the United States Agency for International Development.
Nicole Widdersheim is a former national security director for Africa in the Trump administration and an expert in the prevention of genocide.
