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Silencing Voices Is Not the Answer
Former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA event. Reflecting on Kirk’s passing, Trump said, “We miss him greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and courage put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
Those are the words of Charlie Kirk, whose voice was silenced this week with one shot.
He was just having a conversation with college students in Utah, like he does many times a week. He was excited to go to various campuses as part of the American Comeback campus tour with his group, Turning Point USA.
Charlie did not go to college, which is interesting because his group—begun at the age of 18 with zero money, no name recognition, and out of his parents’ garage—now has a presence on more than 1,000 campuses across the country.
His voice influenced so many.
“I love talking with people I disagree with,” he said as to why he does this.
He knew the risks. He was no stranger to death threats.
But he kept going because he knew this country was worth saving—through the youth.
He was getting young folks engaged. He spoke on religion, abortion, marriage, and more.
He was a brilliant speaker.
He knew the Bible backward and forward.
He was strong in his faith and not afraid to have these conversations.
But now, he’s gone.
He was a husband.
He was a father.
He was a son.
He was a friend.
Now, his two young children will grow up without a father.
A woman lost her husband and best friend.
All for what? Because he exercised his free speech and was effective at getting the message out?
It makes no sense.
The Tennessee Tech Turning Point chapter members will be holding a prayer vigil Sunday evening at 4 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. Members of that chapter will speak, along with others.
I’ll be the first to admit, Charlie’s death was a gut punch to me. It’s senseless. Even though I never had the opportunity to meet him, his life had a profound impact on me.
He was never afraid to speak out. He was bold, but he was gentle. He treated everyone the same.
There’s one video that stands out to me. He was at a university event (I want to say it was UT Knoxville, but I could be wrong) when a student came up to the mic and said, “I’m a gay conservative.”
Charlie’s response:
“You are just a conservative. That’s all.”
That stood out to me. He saw the good in everyone he came into contact with. He was civil, even in the face of those who weren’t.
That knowledge, that brilliance, that light, is gone.
According to those close to him, Charlie had a deep belief in his power as an individual to make a difference.
He did just that.
He loved America, its people, its Constitution, its freedom, and the limitless good all of them have done for the world.
He wanted a nation of happy, thriving families who loved God and each other.
Silencing voices you disagree with is not the answer. Please, don’t be afraid to talk about these issues.
We’re not going to go silent into the night.
We are not afraid to speak the truth.
To speak about the Gospel.
To just talk.
We will continue Charlie’s legacy.
We are Charlie Kirk.
