Politically targeted violence in America is becoming alarmingly common. From the shocking assassination attempts against national leaders, to the killing of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and most recently the attack on conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the rise in such incidents is sparking serious concerns about what free speech means in today’s climate and whether speaking out has become dangerous.
For many students across the country, this climate of hostility is deeply unsettling. Prince Paige, a Minnesota college student who preferred not to share the name of their school, explained how uneasy it feels to express opinions in public. “We’re scared for our lives about what we might say and the retaliation that we might get,” Paige said, voicing a fear that is increasingly shared by young people who wonder if free speech is worth the risks.
Alexia Woods, a student at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, echoed those concerns. “It makes me more aware of my surroundings and sometimes makes me even question if I’m really safe,” she said. Her words reflect the everyday anxieties students live with as political debates grow more heated and violence feels less distant.
As conversations about Charlie Kirk spread widely on social media, questions about what free speech truly means have intensified. Paige said that America must rethink how it defines freedom of expression in today’s world. “To say free speech, I think that’s something that America needs to kinda look back on and determine like what again is free speech? Especially when it comes to people’s safety and people losing their lives.”
For Woods, the issue lies in how powerful words can be, especially when spoken by public figures. She emphasized that freedom of speech is not limitless or without responsibility. “Free speech isn’t just about saying whatever you want; it comes with a very big responsibility, and I feel like political figures especially need to understand the weight their words carry. And for me, it didn’t really change the fact that free speech matters, but it did make me more aware of how easily it can be twisted or used to fuel negativity.”
Woods also pointed out that speech rooted in hate or fear can cause real harm, turning the idea of free expression into a threat rather than a protection. She connected this to recent hoax threats at historically Black colleges and universities, including her own, which have disrupted classes and created deep emotional strain. “I hope that people understand these threats and shutdowns aren’t just temporary inconveniences, they actually affect students’ mental health, their sense of safety, and even their ability to focus on school.”
These events, while terrifying, have pushed many young people to believe that staying silent is no longer an option. Instead, they argue that having difficult conversations about free speech, hate, and respect is essential. Paige said that silence only deepens the problem. “I think it’s important that we do have those conversations whether they’re uncomfortable or not.”
Woods agreed, stressing that the solution lies in empathy and human dignity. “Everybody’s human and everybody deserves respect,” she said. Her words underline the growing demand from students that free speech not be weaponized to spread fear but instead be exercised in a way that protects communities and strengthens democracy.
As America grapples with this troubling wave of politically motivated violence, the voices of young people like Paige and Woods remind us that freedom of speech is not only about what can be said but also about how it impacts others. Their call is simple but urgent: respect, responsibility, and dialogue must guide the nation forward before more lives are put at risk.
