Where Do We Go From Here?

Over the past 48 hours, I have been wrestling with a simple but critical question: Where do we go from here? It is a question that weighs heavily on me—not just as someone seeking public office to serve, but as a husband, a son, a brother, a neighbor, and a fellow American and Arkansan. Because if we are to move forward as a people, we must first agree on the foundation on which that progress can be built.

The first step toward genuine common ground is establishing a baseline—a moral and civic foundation strong enough to support dialogue, cooperation, and reconciliation. Without it, every attempt to bridge our differences collapses under the weight of mistrust, resentment, and division.

And that is why I must speak plainly. My heart broke to see justifications, celebrations, and whataboutisms concerning an event that shook so many across our nation—an event that touched deeply those close to me, people I reached out to in the hours after tragedy. In that moment, when the hour was darkest, the answer for some was not to shine a light of compassion and unity, but to plunge deeper into darkness through cruelty, derision, or political posturing.

Any celebration of, or whataboutism concerning, the tragic death of a fellow American citizen is so profoundly removed from the foundation of common decency that common ground cannot, and should not, be built upon it. Some may attempt to rationalize or excuse such behavior by saying, “They held dangerous or harmful views,” “They deserved criticism for their actions or words,” or “This is political theater meant to make a point.” Others may claim that drawing comparisons to other tragedies somehow balances the conversation or diminishes their culpability.

Let me be clear: if there are other tragedies or injustices that deserve attention, by all means, speak to them, bring them to light, and seek accountability. But this must never be done at the expense of others—never by celebrating, mocking, or excusing the loss of a human life. None of these justifications carry moral, ethical, or civic legitimacy.

As a person of faith, I believe that every life is sacred. Every human being—whether cherished by family, friends, or community, whether religious, secular, or atheist—is inherently worthy of respect and dignity. Exercising the right to free speech—protected under the First Amendment—is not a crime, and to rejoice in harm coming to someone for exercising this right is fundamentally opposed to the principles of justice, morality, and the law. No political grievance, personal disagreement, or attempt to make a rhetorical point can ever excuse delight in the loss of a human life.

I want to be absolutely clear: I will never, in any way, shape, or form, tolerate such behavior. Our shared humanity must always come before political disagreements. When anyone—whether friend, rival, or stranger—falls victim to a senseless act of violence, it is not an occasion for triumph or mockery. It is a moment to pause, to grieve, and to acknowledge that a human life, created with purpose and dignity, has been lost.

Let me also be unmistakable: political violence is not the answer—not now, not ever. Violence against another citizen, no matter the circumstances or disagreements, only destroys the moral foundation of our society and undermines the very principles of liberty, justice, and shared civic responsibility that define us as Americans.

Whether they are a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a father, a mother, a friend, a neighbor, a coworker, a mentor, a teacher, a student, a teammate, a volunteer, a community leader, or simply a fellow citizen, every individual is connected to someone who loves them, depends on them, or looks to them. When a life is taken senselessly, the pain is universal, touching families, friends, and communities alike. No political disagreement, no personal grievance, and no attempt to make a point can ever justify rejoicing in such loss.

If we cannot agree on this fundamental principle, we have abandoned the very baseline of decency upon which any hope of unity must be built. But if we can, then there is still a path forward. A path where we can contend with ideas passionately, even fiercely, but never allow our differences to harden our hearts to the value of life.

We must hold to this truth: that every life has worth, that violence against one diminishes us all, and that our duty as Americans, as neighbors, and as members of a shared community is to ensure that our disagreements never eclipse our humanity. Only then can we hope to answer the question: Where do we go from here?

With respect for all Arkansans,

Joshua Irby

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