Last Wednesday after classes ended, I headed to the junior couches. I saw my friends standing in a circle around a phone, and they were cheering, smiling and laughing. I was a little curious about what was happening, so I walked over. One of my friends looked up and said, “Charlie Kirk was shot at a college visit.”
At first, I did not believe it. There was no way the man who was constantly showing up on my Instagram feed actually got shot at his own event. I pulled my phone out to see a notification from The New York Times that confirmed what my friends had told me. I admit, initially I felt joy; I felt as though someone who stood against everything I believed in had finally received what I believed was justice, especially because Kirk strongly opposed gun regulation.
But then I had a moment of clarity. I realized how ridiculous my initial reaction was. No one should be shot simply for standing up for what they think. Political violence is un-American. Every American has the right to say what they believe, whether I agree with it or not. All of us, no matter our political affiliation, need to stand up to acts of political violence.
Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University during an event for his “American Comeback Tour” and “Prove Me Wrong Table” event. A couple hours later he was pronounced dead. Kirk, a far-right political activist, founded his non-profit Turning Point USA in 2012. He grew a large following on social media and was one of President Donald Trump’s allies. Kirk leaves behind his wife and two children, all three of whom were present at the shooting.
In a time when America is so polarized, it is crucial that we all encourage discourse about events like Kirk’s assassination. This is the second time this year that a political figure has been assassinated. In June, Minnesota State Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed. Hortman, a Democrat, was targeted simply for her public service and the causes she advocated for. Hortman and her husband’s deaths undermined the foundations of democracy, devastated the community and reminded the nation that political violence can strike anyone, regardless of ideology.
When politicians, activists or ordinary citizens are targeted simply for their beliefs, it sends a message that speaking out comes with deadly risk. That is not the America any of us should accept. We must reject violence as a means of political expression and insist on protecting the rights and safety of everyone, even those whose beliefs we disagree with.
I write this piece not to justify Kirk’s beliefs, but to acknowledge that, in his own way, he worked toward a goal many of us share: to make America a better place for all. I strongly disagreed with the positions he advocated for such as looser gun policies and the prohibition of abortion, but those were his opinions to hold. In moments of political unrest like these, I return to the words of the late Senator John McCain. During a 2008 town hall, when asked by a woman nervous about former President Barack Obama’s candidacy, he said, “He’s a decent family man [and] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that’s what this campaign’s all about.” His words remind us that, even when our political beliefs diverge sharply, we must not lose sight of our shared humanity. Respecting the rights and dignity of others is essential to preserving the principles that make our democracy strong.
The night of Kirk’s shooting and death, many students took to social media to voice their opinions. Some students posted how sad the assassination was, while others noted Kirk’s pro-gun ideology and pointed out the irony of his death by firearm. However, most left-wing elected officials quickly condemned the act. I hope GDS students think of this assassination as a violation of American liberty and an attack on American democracy.
Incidents of political violence should not drive us further apart; the shooting should serve as a wake-up call. GDS teaches us to stand up for democracy by engaging in debate and challenging ideas. As students, teachers and citizens, we can choose to model respect, empathy and understanding, even toward those whose views conflict with our own. We must all stand together in opposition to acts of political violence, not just as a school, but as a broader community. Protecting the right of every individual to speak, to learn and to participate in discourse is crucial for democracy. GDS needs to be a place where disagreements spark conversation, not conflict.