The Glorified Murderer

By now, I’m sure we have all heard about the assassination of Brian Thompson.

The CEO of United Health Care, Brian Thompson, was murdered in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, December 4th.

The person responsible for the assassination is Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old man. What I find most astonishing is his background. Mangione attended private schools and graduated at the top of his class and continued on to UPenn to receive his undergraduate degree and master’s in computer science.

How did he become an anarchist and radicalist?

I understand the issues he attempted to call attention to. Yes, the healthcare system is incredibly flawed! But there is no world in which problems will be solved by assassinating individuals.

My prayers are with the Thompson’s family and friends. I also hope and pray that no one else sees this assassination as anything other than murder.

I feel as if people who are aligning with Mangione are deeply angered and filled with mistrust in the healthcare system. Don’t get me wrong, I am angered too, but there is no moral or ethical explanation for murder. A cause, mission, and/or purpose is completely defeated at the first sign of violence. Brian Thompson was a human. To assassinate him requires dehumanization. That is exactly what Luigi Mangione did. He dehumanized Thompson down to be a very symbol and sole monster of healthcare and insurance system. This is unacceptable.

As soon as I saw the uproar of “fans” and “supporters”, I became deeply disgusted and alarmed by the fact that people are condoning the celebration of murder! He was also immediately titled as “attractive” and “hot” for a murderer and coined as a “mug shot hottie”. For this I blame the media and the revolting ways TikTok and other social media apps aim to downplay current news events. Where has our society gone? We now glorify and idolize terrorists? Then appeared a defense fund that grew rapidly, while wanted posters targeting corporate CEOs appeared in all over Manhattan. Social media posts shared health-care executives' names and salaries encouraging more violence. Citizens aiding the manhunt to find Mangione immediately faced backlash and called "snitches". Even the police involved in Mangione's arrest received threats.

In Mangione’s manifestos, words to the press, and social media posts we have seen his beliefs and thoughts of the healthcare and insurance system. And to some extent Mangione’s call to action about the system is not wrong. These are industries that make it increasingly difficult for Americans to get lifesaving care. While many already know this, the recent uproar did incite more conversations about the uncomfortable truths about our health insurance system. We still live in a capitalistic society in which our very health care is for-profit. It is a fact that shareholders and profits tend to drive decisions at for-profit health insurance companies, not patient outcomes. Thousands die as result of denied medical insurance claims. Every one of those deaths results in a increase in profit for the insurance company. This is simply a way for insurers to increase profits in a system where corporations are expected to increase profits. Americans spend more on health care than people in any other country, with data revealing that costs for insurance premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, pharmaceuticals, and hospital services have all risen over the past five years. So, to say that Mangione’s beliefs were wrong is invalid. He in fact is correct about the systems that perpetuate our society. And I do believe this requires an abolitionist perspective, although we cannot and should never dehumanize these issues and the people who work for these industries!

I see why Mangione is angry. I see why millions of Americans are angry.

We have needed to restructure and discuss the vast issues with the healthcare system for a long time. I do not believe this unjust and heinous act will encourage more conversation. While the healthcare system undoubtedly fuels despair by prioritizing profits over lives, there must be a way to channel this into meaningful reform, not destructive actions that derail the cause entirely.

Nevertheless, the justice system is at work. The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Brag has charged Mr. Mangione with first-degree and second-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism (among other charges). The terrorism charge is something I would be willing to write about in the future. So, to say the least I am intrigued to watch the case fold out, and always interested to share insights as well.

With gratitude,

Olivia