In an ideal world, such incidents of workplace violence should never take center stage in the news and media. The incident wherein the CEO of United Health was shot dead by a former employee points rather chillingly to how violent workplace confrontations have become. As usual, social media exploded, splitting into camps of moral outrage, systemic blame, and misguided revenge fantasies.
In response, Sean Fitzgerald, aka ‘ Actual Justice Warrior” tweeted:
Got so many comments of people claiming that they're unsubbing or canceling memberships because I said murder is bad. The rationale for supporting the murder of the United CEO is dumb & creators pandering to their revenge fantasies are cowards. This is my official double down
— Sean Fitzgerald (Actual Justice Warrior) (@IamSean90) December 6, 2024
It is a statement that is difficult to misunderstand, but then again, in today’s world, where everything is outrage-sensitive, this still irks a few. The most pertinent issue we should be discussing is the violence we see repeatedly at the workplace.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there has been a 10% rise in workplace homicides, and in the year 2022 alone, the United States witnessed 454 such incidents. Most of this aggression can be traced back to disrespect or grievance in the workplace that was never dealt with.
Fitzgerald’s words speak volumes. Oftentimes, we see people complaining about violence on social media, only to amplify it from behind the screens. Revenge fantasies portray systemic oppression rather than a struggle against it.
The Polarizing Power of Social Media
Fitzgerald’s tweet sparked two distinct responses:
Supporters Rally for Morality
Some agreed with him as they centered on the quote saying no to violence:
@FrankDeScushin tweeted:
I appreciate your principled stand, Sean, and I love your YouTube content. You’re a good man doing good work.
— Frank DeScushin (@FrankDeScushin) December 6, 2024
@BanksChn shared her stance, supporting Fitzgerald’s tweet:
As a young widow & someone who first hand understands how awful insurance companies can be, the murder of a fellow human being, a US citizen, a husband, father, son & brother, & understanding the ripple effects/suffering of those in his orbit, would never bring any “justice” or…
— LucaRoe (@BanksChnl) December 6, 2024
There is data to back up their claims. The National Safety Counsel has reported that when talking about workplace violence 60% of these cases can be mapped back to unresolved conflicts instead of oppression. This sheds light on how important proactive measures are to find a solution rather than just resorting to violence.
Critics Call Out Binary Framework Abstraction
But, on the other hand, some accused Fitzgerald of ignoring corporate greed’s role in fomenting such rage:
@PSeaso51593 tweeted:
I get the anger. The way health insurance providers treat you Americans is vile. Assassinations never lead to anything good, however. It only opens the door for more violence. These people are dumb if they think it will be one-sided. They're literally green lighting themselves.…
— justmyopinionman (@PSeaso51593) December 6, 2024
In addition, another critique made by @FtLaudyJosh added on in saying:
We all have a moral compass for others when we can barely stand cuz our own is wobbly at best. Mr. Thompson’s processes and implementations affected many American lives for the worse. He also didn’t deserve to have his life ended abruptly. Both things can be true IMO.
— Josh (@FtLaudyJosh) December 6, 2024
This adds to a larger debate on gaping issues. According to the United States Bureau of Census, by 2013 the ratio of CEOs to workers’ median pay in America was 399:1. Fitzgerald took a shot at explaining this by saying:
Beware of anyone who takes your money & encourages you to throw your life away for revenge when they would never do so themselves, & if any creators who pander to these people ever talk about stochastic terrorism again, they should have tomatoes tossed at them in the town square
— Sean Fitzgerald (Actual Justice Warrior) (@IamSean90) December 6, 2024
This highlights a larger problem of how to tackle the issue of elevation while ensuring violence is not the answer.
Where Do We Draw the Line?
The pandemic is an eye-opener for a deeper moral question how far should frustration with inequality vex us? Fitzgerald is quite emphatic throughout.
The people I specifically made the video about were leftists. I didn't say only leftists. I just highlighted 2 people as examples. If you agree with them, then you're just as wrong as them regardless if you're on the left or right
— Sean Fitzgerald (Actual Justice Warrior) (@IamSean90) December 7, 2024
This opinion was shared by @DECObserver:
I'm just pissed because your reaction to a very understandable anger, is to pigeonhole it into Leftists being jealous. That's just spitting on people.
— DECObserver (@DECObserver) December 6, 2024
You're too smart to actually believe that every single event or reaction in life can be explained by reference to a one…
Even psychologists have weighed in. The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology has discussed several individuals who took revenge and ended up feeling more anguish than they did previously, a pattern that ends up elongating their miserable state. It would be appropriate to mention that Fitzgerald added a tweet that expounded in detail this notion:
Apparently I haven't said murder bad enough times on my channel
— Sean Fitzgerald (Actual Justice Warrior) (@IamSean90) December 6, 2024
Also, social media allows only flaring up of synapses but does nothing in providing a plausible explanation. Lamenting left, right and center about how violence is impactful gains a lot of praise but only serves as a band aid to a gaping wound.
Reframing the Disappointment as Change
Slightly startling, but the assassination of the CEO of United Health is more evidence of anger management gone wrong. While anger management advocate Fitzgerald conveniently forgets that violence saved the man’s life. The logic behind the hate towards inequality, the avaricious state of companies, and the strife of power is valid, however, the approach of violence for revenge merely muddies the waters of achieving that narrative.
Comments be like, "I agreed for years. But this 1 disagreement means I hate you. " I also like the "you don't know the Healthcare system, bruh." I have a degree suited for a government job with benefits. Instead, I became a YouTuber without health insurance for 8 years
— Sean Fitzgerald (Actual Justice Warrior) (@IamSean90) December 6, 2024
The point is this: Ranting about injustice cannot be the only way of protesting. So, whether advocating, reforming, or talking – it is time to transcend anger and work toward restructuring a world in which everyone can prosper without threats, aggression, and hopelessness.
Last Updated on by Saket Kumar
