We cannot entirely fix a culture through respectful political conversations when that culture permits and normalizes political (and other) violence. Still, creating structural change necessitates mutual understanding, compassion, and empathy — that begins with conversations.

You are beginning your college journey during a period marked by uncertainty, fear, anger, and a sense of helplessness — a reality shared by students who started in recent years amid events like the first election of President Donald Trump, the pandemic, and nationwide protests met with force on college campuses.

This is not an article in which I try to convince you about the merits of stricter gun laws.