In Memory of Charlie Kirk
I first saw Charlie Kirk in the summer of 2021, when I went with friends to Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit in Tampa. It was an electrifying experience, with so many young people who were full of passion for the USA and conservative values. I didn’t know anything about Charlie before then, but I remember being impressed that he was 27 years old, never went to college, and somehow had built this massive organization.
It wasn’t until the midterm cycle in 2022 that I started listening regularly to Charlie’s podcast. Dealing with a new school and mental health challenges, his show was an escape for me and a chance to learn about politics and culture. Over time, I learned more about Charlie as a person. I got to see his work ethic, courage, and his optimism for the USA and Gen Z. He truly believed that his values of faith, family, patriotism, and rejection of a victim mentality would save our country and help a generation struggling so much with confusion and anxiety.
Charlie was a great advocate for free speech and discussion between people with different opinions. He intentionally gave a voice to people who disagreed with him, seeking to change their minds with facts and questions. A devout Christian, he told his supporters, “love without condition [and] forgive without limit.”
Learning that Charlie was killed while speaking on a college campus was a deep blow to me. It also makes me worry about this country. Far too many liberal people promote hateful rhetoric that equates conservatives with fascists and Nazis—the very idea that motivated Charlie’s murderer. People need to recognize that this rhetoric towards fellow Americans is unacceptable.
I will miss Charlie Kirk, but his spirit will live on in millions of people that he inspired.
