It has been one week since Charlie Kirk’s death. While conservatives have been filled with sadness and anger, I have also noticed a new mood: hope.

This hope stems from a revelation we seem to have forgotten long ago—our ideological opponents are not our enemies. As a lifelong conservative, I must admit that I am often skeptical of the left and even question their morality and motives. It is that kind of thinking that led to the demonization of people like Charlie, and for that I feel immense guilt.

I was shocked to see the outcry and anguish from liberals over Charlie Kirk’s death. Having been connected to social media for so long, I had only ever seen people celebrate it. But spending time with my community this week—talking with real people—made me realize there is a difference between leftists and liberals.

It has become clear to me that liberals care. I have seen them weep and pray for Charlie, his family, and the country as a whole. Too often, we are trapped in echo chambers where the loudest voices are amplified, and we take their words as gospel, assuming they represent an entire side. This is foolish.

After Charlie’s death, I went to church and witnessed true humanity—the kind that can rarely be found on social media. People were coming together, remembering that we are Americans first and foremost, and refusing to be divided by the loudest, most divisive voices.

It is true that the left has segments where evil resides—people who want the death of their political opponents and celebrate when it occurs. But the same is true of the right. The hope I feel now is the belief that conservatives and liberals can come together and cast out the most reprehensible voices from both sides.

Do not mistake me: I still think liberals are wrong, and I believe their political prescriptions will fail. Yet I also believe they are good people. A lesson I will take from Charlie Kirk going forward is this: debate the ideas without attacking the person.

The United States has always prevailed because its people are special. I believe we will prove that again when we come together and remember—our neighbors are not our enemies.