The internet has been bubbling over with reactions to the shooting of American right wing author Charlie Kirk. He was a political commentator and the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). Graphic videos of the shooting have circulated on X, prompting public figures to urge media outlets to take them down.
The Irony of being killed at a “Prove Me Wrong” Open Mic event
It was horrific and ironic that the event at which he was shot was centered around Kirk platforming college students who disagreed with him to come up to a microphone and talk about their disagreements. These disagreements had no limits. No topic was too sensitive for discussion. Yet, his death is celebrated by some, as though he didn’t try to make sure political disagreements stayed at verbal arguments. He ensured disagreements didn’t disintegrate into physical altercations.
What’s more? No student who debated Kirk ever feared being shot for saying something others found objectionable. Free Speech, in theory, is something everyone agrees with. However, it also means being able to sit down and listen to people say things we don’t like.
What Did Charlie Kirk Represent?
This shooting was gruesome, and yes, it happened in the United States of America, but the implications are far-reaching. To many, Kirk represented the staunch views of the American far right, which he did, and many hated him. He also represented a political figure always willing to hear the views and values of his opponents.
X is filled with people comparing Kirk to several dictators, but they omit one major component. Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Mao Zedong, and actual dictators were never interested in free speech or dialogue. They did as they pleased, gave no reason, killed those in their way, and ignored everyone’s opinions.
It’s important to draw the line between Kirk and those his detractors compare him to, because that difference…well, makes all the difference.
Why Should His Shooting Bother Us in the UK?
As young people, we often have very contrarian views, and no, they may not be as polarizing as Kirk’s, but remember that it only takes one person to say “what he said was so outrageous he should die!”. Youths in the UK and globally fight for change, often expressing views that powerful people strongly oppose.
We shouldn’t be shot for our views, and Kirk’s death – with the gleeful reactions – sets a dangerous precedent.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Abortion, Immigration and Israel-Palestine are all very sensitive topics, but topics that every American has an opinion on. They may not voice it, though. Kirk voicing his made people angry, but so would contrary opinions.
Kirk Showed What Political Discuss Should Be
Perhaps most importantly, the 31-year-old TPUSA founder perfectly represented what political discourse should be. Change in the political space can only be done when people are willing to listen to the views of those who disagree with them, and Kirk embodied that. Regardless of what opinions he espoused, he went about it the right way, and that is worthy of emulation.
Young people should have Kirk’s attitude to political discourse: open to listen to and debating opposing views. This is important for youths, as they are in a learning stage, and this is the time to expand one’s mind and think about as many different perspectives as possible.
If someone as accommodating as Kirk was considered radical and extremist, it suggests that only conformists would be deemed acceptable by Kirk’s political opponents. And that is what should shock you, because you could not be more balanced in your approach than he was.
Conclusion
No one is obligated to feel sympathy for anyone, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Kirk’s death was horrifying, the celebration even more so. Disagreement is encouraged, and the TPUSA founder would be the first to say it, but no one should be killed for openly debating controversial topics. We all want to be able to speak openly about what we believe in, and we all know that someone, somewhere, will find it objectionable. That is life, but as young people, especially in the UK, we should all fight tooth and nail to make sure that everyone can listen to opinions they don’t like without going over the top. That is the only way we can make a change.
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