Let me start by saying I am neither a supporter nor a critic of Charlie Kirk. I had heard of him, but that was the extent of my knowledge about his views.
That said, it is a sad day when anyone finds reason to celebrate or joke about his death.
In the aftermath, assumptions are flying: “It must have been a liberal,” or “This was another government operation to overthrow the president’s power.” Loud voices on social media fuel these narratives, but speculation only deepens division.
Today also carries a heavier weight—it is September 11, a day none of us old enough will ever forget. The coincidence of these tragedies falling near the same date forces me to ask: how much longer can we sit back without demanding change?
It is not enough for leaders to condemn “political violence.” They are right to do so, but the problem is broader. We are facing a rise in violence throughout our nation, and words without action fall short. Real change requires our political leaders to sit down together, engage in honest conversations, and approach solutions with the intent of making our communities safer.
The murder of Charlie Kirk reminds us that no one is immune. A high-powered rifle in the wrong hands can cause devastation from hundreds of yards away. We often hear, “Guns don’t kill people.” But I ask this: if access to such rifles were more difficult, would Kirk have been murdered from that distance? Would he have lost his life yesterday? Would his wife and children be left without a husband and father?
It is time for change. It is time for leaders to put less energy into their reelection campaigns and more into the safety of every citizen. When we begin to prioritize humanity first and ourselves second, we may finally move toward a safer nation.
killing someone does not eliminate whatever problems a person might have. It only makes them worse.