I understand if you don’t agree with Charlie Kirk. He said plenty of polarizing things, ranging from controversial takes on the legality of abortion to a staunch defense of the Second Amendment. I don’t think he always expressed his opinions in the best way. I didn’t agree with quite a few of them myself. Even so, for many in my generation, especially young men, he became someone to look up to, a reminder of what we believe makes this country remarkable, the conviction, grit and the willingness to stand publicly for what you believe is true.
Beyond politics, I watched Kirk grow from a kid my age who didn’t graduate college into a business owner, husband, father and a public advocate for what he believed. He built Turning Point USA, a conservative youth movement, into a national organization with millions of followers within just a few years, proving that hustle and clarity of purpose can still move mountains. It’s hard to find a clearer example of the American Dream than someone from a small Midwestern town turning determination into a lasting career and community.
A lot of Gen Z young men grew up feeling blamed for the world’s problems. We heard it in classrooms and in our communities. It was hard to come of age in the environment of the 2010s. At the same time, conservative ideas often faced heavy scrutiny in mainstream media and public discourse.
Agree or disagree with Kirk's positions, he deserves respect for having the courage to show up anyway, to walk onto campuses where he knew he’d be challenged and to sit on stages taking questions from people who opposed him. It modeled a kind of resilience that’s rare: the courage to speak your mind, hear the pushback, and keep going.
The video of the assassination and the discourse around it are among the most disturbing things I’ve ever seen. The rush to turn a human tragedy into a political weapon felt like a second act of violence. It makes me sad that we live in a country where something as horrid as this seemed to be nothing more than political ammunition for some. I feel for everyone who was in attendance, supported him and knew him.
Nobody should ever have to lose a friend, husband or father in such a hateful, violent way. I especially feel for his wife, Erika, and their two young children. They will grow up hearing stories and looking at old photographs when they deserve to hear their father's voice and feel his affection.
I had the chance to see Kirk speak on our campus last spring on his American Comeback Tour. He was bright and kind, and he engaged with people, including skeptics, in a civil, respectful way. He listened, he pushed back, he joked a little, and he treated our university, students and staff with genuine courtesy.
That night left me with an impression stronger than any headline. The person onstage was not a caricature; he was a human being doing something difficult in front of people who didn’t always want him there.
Rest in peace. Thank you, Charlie.
If you are interested in commenting on this article, please send a letter to the editor at sagcked@mailbox.sc.edu.