September has tested our nation's soul.

September has tested our nation's soul.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. The attack on the Dallas ICE facility. The horrific violence at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. The shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado. The wounds from the Annunciation Catholic School attack still fresh in Minneapolis.

I've spent nearly five decades in two worlds that should have nothing in common with these tragedies: the Olympic movement and the Law. Yet both have taught me the same lesson: we are strongest when we compete with ideas, not violence. When we resolve conflicts through dialogue, not destruction.

In 1980, I sued my own government to allow athletes to make their own choice about competing in Moscow. I lost that legal battle.  But, I never stopped believing in the power of peaceful discourse, even, and especially, when we disagree.

On the Olympic stage, athletes from nations in conflict stand side by side. They compete fiercely, yes. But when the race ends, they embrace. They recognize the humanity in their opponent. They understand that the person across the finish line shares the same dreams, the same sacrifices, the same hopes.

That's what we've lost. The ability to see each other's humanity.

As an attorney, I learned that the courtroom exists because civilized societies choose argument over violence. We present our case. We listen to the other side. A neutral party decides. Nobody picks up a weapon.

But we've allowed our public discourse to become so toxic, so dehumanizing, that some believe violence is the answer. It never is.

To the families grieving in Utah, Texas, Michigan, Colorado, and Minnesota: there are no words adequate for your loss. But please know that millions of us are choosing, today, to recommit ourselves to building the America your loved ones deserved to live in.

🟢 We can disagree without demonizing.
🟢 We can debate without dehumanizing.
🟢 We can compete without destroying.

I've seen it work on the Olympic stage. I've seen it work in the courtroom. It can work in our communities, our schools, our places of worship, and our public squares...but only if we choose it.

The alternative is more coffins. More families shattered. More communities traumatized. More children afraid to go to school. More people afraid to pray.

We are better than this.

Our young people are watching us. They're watching how we respond to tragedy. They're watching whether we choose dialogue or division. They're watching whether we build bridges or burn them.  Let's show them the America we believe in: not with platitudes, but with action. Call someone you disagree with and listen. Really listen. Find common ground where you can. Agree to disagree where you can't.  But do it with respect for their humanity.

🟢  Violence is not strength. It's surrender. It's giving up on everything that makes us human.
🟢  Choose dialogue. Choose peace. Choose each other.
🟢  In memory of all those we've lost, and in hope for all those who remain.

🕊️

--- Anita
September 30th, 2025

#PeaceNotViolence #ChooseDialogue #UnitedWeStand #EndTheViolence #RememberTheVictims #OlympicValues #LawAndPeace #CommonHumanity #ChoosePeace