Murder is hardly something new here or anywhere and for all of human history. However, what we all witnessed in the death of Charlie Kirk was not only evil in our time, but it is actually the natural outgrowth of a vile obsession against traditional American values, most specifically, but not limited to - freedom of speech.
In December of 2021, I worked in a restaurant in Washington, D.C. and was serving a very high-profile individual in the Democratic Party with her team in a private dining room celebrating their holiday gathering. At one point later in the meal, she posed the question to them all - which initially seemed aspirational and positive, "what is your hope for 2022?" They went around the room with responses of personal growth and such until it came to one woman who spoke hesitantly, at first, but with sincere conviction, "I really hope... something terrible happens to Donald Trump."
That seems like so long ago, yet this "hope" has not only abided, but metastasized among those who, not only believe counter to words and policies of our current president but are more broadly pursuing anti-Americanism and a left-wing secular dismissal of the indispensable nature of Biblical values for us as a people.
Charlie Kirk devoted his professional life to open debate. He toured campuses and invited opposing points of view. He used facts, statistics, and rational thought to make his points and was gracious with so many who tried to challenge him. If you listen to Charlie in his speeches or at length at any of his college tours, it is obvious that he was: a devout and humble Christian, someone who loved America and our founding principles, fair in listening to and reasoning with opposing points of view, compassionate in his discourse with people who were struggling for truth, earnest in the elevation of people regardless of skin color, and well-prepared to argue points with evidence rather than ideology or talking points.
On September 10th, America lost that in the extinguishing of that man's Earthly life, and it was immediately obvious to those who knew him - even via watching him online - that he was assassinated out of hate with the goal of silencing and ending him. As evidence has come to light in this first week in the aftermath, the obvious has become more certain. I have been flabbergasted to learn it has become widespread by Charlie's detractors that the killer has conclusively been labeled (and argued) to be a product of and adherent to American right-wing political philosophy. No reasonable person who knows Charlie Kirk would honestly posit such ignorant nonsense; hence, there are clearly malevolent forces working diligently on the internet to paint him as the "fascist" - a word many pretend to comprehend while throwing about capriciously - they all should desire to excoriate.
Incidentally, those who seek to double-speak virtue signal on social media that "political violence is never acceptable, BUT..." are in effect giving permission/exception to that very violence. They are essentially saying that it shouldn't happen, but he deserved it. This is very telling.
A lot of us are typically quiet. And when I say "us," that could mean Christians, conservatives, or just reasonable good humans. A lot of us are quiet, because we know that many of our fellow countrymen hate people like Charlie. They hated him for believing all children deserve a loving and married mother and father in the home. They hated him for believing America has been and should be a great country. They hated him for seeking to protect children from those who would pervert their minds to believe they could/should change their sex. They hated him for calling BS on their race-baiting and promoting a merit-based society in which all Americans can achieve. They hated him for saying that we own this country and should enforce laws that outline a proper way of immigrating here. They hated him for seeking Christian values in his life and for not eschewing their fundamental importance to our founding. They hate and misunderstand concepts such as capitalism and fascism and routinely use them disingenuously. As of last week, we now know many of our fellow Americans would either gleefully or nonchalantly excuse or celebrate the murder of someone like Charlie with a list of quotes out of context that they found on social media. We now know they hate us too.
Yet, take note, God willing, we still will use our voices over violence and continue where Charlie left off. May he rest in peace, and may our country be delivered from the evil that seeks our division and destruction.
Now, we are Charlie.
