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Rest in Peace, Charlie

On Wednesday September 10, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was murdered in cold blood and in broad daylight. This heinous act was a political assassination and a message to anyone on the right: you are not human and you are worthy of slaughter. I will no longer mince words. Quite frankly, I could write volumes about this tragedy and it wouldn’t do justice. There are many ways to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, but one service we can do in his memory is to be brutally honest on his behalf.

Charlie Kirk was many things: an activist, an organizer, a debater, a leader…an icon, a father, and a husband. He was one of the co-founder’s of Turning Point USA: an organization dedicated to promoting free speech and fostering debate on college campuses, as well as registering conservative voters. Charlie both walked the walk and talked the talk. He went into the arena with no fear. Not only was he the face of Turning Point USA, he was Turning Point USA. Frankly, he will never be replaced and it’s foolish to even ponder such thoughts, but for his sake, we must carry his torch.

Despite all the tributes, the left viewed him as a problematic figure, as his viral debate moments and unapologetic stances put his opponents to shame. The truly tragic aspect about this whole episode is that despite the smears, Charlie Kirk was as mainstream and conventional as one could get. I don’t mean that as an insult, but he was not some sort of fringe figure. If one was asked about mainstream right of center commentators, Charlie Kirk would probably be near the top of anyone’s list.

After days of anger, confusion, and chaos, Kirk’s “alleged” killer was taken into police custody. Despite the continuing investigation that will hopefully answer at least some of our questions, there was no doubt about the motivations behind Kirk’s murder. Frankly, anyone with the slightest clue knew as soon as the trigger was pulled. The act itself was unforgivable enough. The footage disseminated around social media was tough to watch. There are arguments whether to view the footage or not and I will let my readers make their own decisions, but it will make you sick to your stomach.

What was really revealing, however, was the left’s response to Kirk’s murder. As if one couldn’t fathom the left sinking any lower, we have reached depths previously thought unthinkable. The celebrations by many elements of the left made my blood boil. Effectively dancing on Kirk’s grave, while his widow and two children mourned was disgusting enough, but it’s also what Kirk represents that made the right’s reaction much more visceral. I would argue that the response to Donald Trump’s attempted assassination didn’t reach these levels, but Trump survived and we needed to focus on winning an election. Kirk actually died and there is nothing to divert our attention from what is truly staring us in the face.

As I mentioned, Kirk was not a Nazi or a fascist or any of the other slurs lobbed at him from the left. He was perfectly mainstream and uncontroversial. I suppose the “controversy” element is in the eye of the beholder, but as far as I’m concerned, he came nowhere close. Kirk was also someone who didn’t possess any material power. Yes, he had a platform, a following, and influence in the public square, but he was not an elected official. I guess what I’m trying to convey is that Kirk is the personification of your average grass roots conservative populist. It really could have been any of us, and that’s the scary part. I don’t say this to take away from Kirk’s significance, but we now live in a world where standing behind a microphone can make anyone a target, and that’s why he was the victim. In essence, many on the right can see themselves in Kirk, and that’s why the reaction is so different. Kirk was braver than most of us, however, and that’s why he became the target.

The grass roots right has begun to fight back, as many left-wingers, who celebrated Kirk’s death have faced public shaming, unemployment, and financial ruin. Regardless, this is only a small price to pay and more needs to be done. The Democratic Party went into CYA mode and tried to change the narrative as much as possible. NEWSFLASH: IT WON’T WORK. What’s even more infuriating is that many in the Republican Party, the Party that Kirk had helped to win elections mind you, tried to hold hands with the left and sing “Kumbaya.” Every Republican that engages in this behavior should be run out of town. Never forget which Republicans didn’t meet the moment and vote them out accordingly.

Ultimately, there are two sobering and depressing realities we must face. One: the sheer number of people who thought it was acceptable to celebrate Kirk’s murder is more pervasive than any of us previously thought possible. Second: if they wanted Kirk dead for his political beliefs, then by proxy, that means they want you dead too. These people could be your neighbors, co-workers, and even friends. I’m not telling you this to make you paranoid or scared, but we must accept what stares us directly in the face and to act accordingly. Any potential permission slips to continue this behavior must be shredded on the spot. We must shut this down, now! We cannot cower. We cannot run. We must show strength and resolve as a movement to prevent this from happening again. We cannot afford for it to happen again. Regardless, stay vigilant, safe, and peaceful when doing so. Don’t get guilted into backing down either. Don’t fall for the “cancel culture” hypocrisy bullshit. Promoting violence comes with a cost and consequences need to be faced.

I don’t pray as often as I should and that’s my fault, but I did say a prayer for Charlie Kirk. Please, take a minute to say a prayer for Charlie, his family, and our country. We really need it.