I doubt I would ever have read Charlie Hebdo even if French were my native language. Some of its offerings appear, IMHO, unnecessarily offensive. Nevertheless, I am appalled at the murders at the headquarters of the French journal, as are those who tweet “Je Suis Charlie” (I Am Charlie).”

Hopefully, few of us will kill because of our disagreement with another—but many of us listen to lies about them, or half truths, or intemperate accusations. We are thus a party to the incivility and political dysfunction that permeates this age. Perhaps Charlie Hebdo even contributed to this atmosphere.

Anger is not necessarily bad in itself. It’s how we handle our anger that counts. To understand someone does not erase our disagreement with him or her. It does prevent rancor and destroy hatred.