We need more than thoughts and prayers to end gun violence. It’s a tragic reality that kids are dying in our schools while many politicians, particularly on the right, offer little more than empty platitudes. They refuse to take meaningful action, and what’s worse, they continue to have the support of voters who share or excuse their apathy.
This frustration drove me to write Triggered, a short story about a conservative senator who is forced to confront the devastating consequences of his pro-gun policies. I wanted to show how personal tragedy can shatter someone’s certainty and compel them to change. The story isn’t just about loss—it’s about the power of empathy, growth, and finding common ground. I hoped that at least one conservative reader might see themselves in Jack Tomlinson, the main character, and be moved to reconsider their own beliefs about gun control.
I wrote Triggered before the 2024 presidential election, with the hope that the outcome would reflect a shift toward unity and collaboration on critical issues like gun violence. I imagined a future where people from both the far right and far left would begin to move toward the center, engaging in meaningful conversations that could lead to real change. But that didn’t happen. The right-wing won across the board.
Still, I’m not discouraged. I’ll continue to write stories about hope and change. I believe storytelling can make a difference by helping people see through the eyes of others. Empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of others—is one of the most powerful tools we have to bridge political divides. It’s not just about changing laws; it’s about changing hearts.
Why Empathy Matters
At its core, empathy is about human connection. It allows us to move beyond stereotypes and political labels, to recognize the shared pain, dreams, and fears that unite us as people. Without empathy, dialogue becomes impossible. We stop seeing each other as fellow Americans and start seeing one another as enemies.
In Triggered, Jack Tomlinson starts as a man firmly entrenched in his beliefs. He is unwilling to compromise on gun rights, convinced that banning assault weapons is a slippery slope toward banning all guns. He views his political opponent, Angela Dorien, with disdain. But everything changes when his daughter, Lindsey, is critically injured in a school shooting. For the first time, Jack is forced to confront the reality of gun violence in a deeply personal way.
Angela reaches out to Jack—not for political gain, but out of genuine compassion. Though their views on gun control remain vastly different, their shared experience of caring for their children allows them to find common ground. Jack learns that empathy doesn’t mean abandoning your beliefs—it means being open to understanding someone else’s perspective and finding ways to compromise for the greater good.
How Empathy Can Bridge Divides
Empathy can be difficult to practice, especially when we feel deeply passionate or hurt by the opposing side’s policies. However, there are ways we can rebuild bridges in our communities and work toward common solutions for issues like gun control, healthcare, and education.
Here are a few ways to foster empathy and productive dialogue:
One of the most powerful things you can do is listen. When someone with opposing views is speaking, resist the urge to argue or prepare a rebuttal in your head. Instead, focus on understanding their perspective. What experiences shaped their beliefs? Why do they feel the way they do?
In Triggered, Angela listens to Jack’s fears about gun rights and security, even though she fundamentally disagrees. By doing so, she earns his respect and creates space for a real conversation.
Facts and statistics are important, but they don’t always change minds. Stories, however, have the power to create emotional connections. Personal experiences—especially those involving loss, fear, or hope—can humanize complex issues.
Jack’s journey in the story begins when he experiences the unthinkable: his daughter becomes a victim of the very violence he thought his policies would prevent. This personal tragedy breaks through his defenses in a way no political debate ever could.
Even people with opposing political beliefs often share common values, such as protecting children, creating safer communities, and ensuring the well-being of their families. Highlight these shared goals in your conversations.
Jack and Angela both care deeply about their children and their communities. Though their approaches differ, this common ground allows them to work together toward meaningful solutions.
Words matter. When we label others as “evil,” “stupid,” or “un-American,” we shut down any chance for dialogue. Dehumanizing language fuels division and makes empathy impossible.
In one scene from Triggered, an elderly supporter at Jack’s rally calls Angela “stupid” on stage. Jack publicly defends her, saying, “We may disagree, but Angela Dorien is not stupid. She’s a courageous, intelligent woman fighting for what she believes in. And that’s something I respect.”
Empathy isn’t a one-time exercise—it’s a lifelong practice. It requires humility and a willingness to admit when you’re wrong or when new experiences have reshaped your beliefs.
By the end of Triggered, Jack has transformed. He no longer sees empathy as a weakness but as a strength. He learns to separate his personal faith from his political duties, finally understanding the importance of balancing individual rights with the safety of the community.
Moving Toward Hope and Change
The political landscape in America is polarized, and it’s easy to feel disheartened. But I believe empathy and dialogue are the keys to healing these divisions. We need stories—both fictional and real—that remind us of our shared humanity.
The outcome of the 2024 election may not have brought the shift I hoped for, but I’m committed to continuing the conversation. I’ll keep writing stories like Triggered on gregkerns.tv, stories that challenge readers to reflect on their beliefs and open their hearts to others.
Together, through empathy and dialogue, we can work toward a future where meaningful change is possible—where no more children have to die for us to realize that safety and compassion must go hand in hand. It won’t be easy, but it’s a journey worth taking for the health and safety of all Americans, not just a privileged few.
Let’s build that future. Together.