Charlie Kirk: A Humble Hero

David Robson

My wife woke me this morning to news that broke me.

“They killed Charlie Kirk.”

In the world we live in presently, it’s hard not to become calloused and swipe past stories of senseless violence and murder. Innocent children are mowed down at places of learning and places of worship. People going about their daily lives have their future destroyed in an instant by crazed murderers in broad daylight while the masses around them turn the other way.

But one man, who gave everything to make this world a better place, a place where instead of resorting to violence, we could engage in robust, respectful discourse with those we disagree with, has been cruelly and violently taken from us today.

A beautiful family will go to sleep tonight without their husband and father. Not a husband and father who sought out hate, violence, and death, but a husband and father who sought to make their future brighter, safer, and freer.

Charlie inspired myself and millions of others to believe in a world where we could engage respectfully with those who disagree with us. He strove to create a world where we could live in peace as humans, regardless of faith, political ideology, education, or race. He fought day after day to build a society where we might value the life of the unborn child, a universe where we might resolve our differences with words and not with violence.

In Charlie’s own words, “When discourse ends, violence begins.”

Today, discourse ended, and violence began.

Today, a violent person ended the life of a humble, intelligent, integritous hero who gave everything to start discourse.

If you’ve watched any of Charlie’s videos, you’ll know that he intentionally put himself in politically hostile scenarios in order to prove that the above statement is true. Charlie willingly engaged with anyone who challenged him, even those who utterly hated him, respectfully and intelligently debating on any topic presented. He demonstrated that free and genuine discourse can make our society a better place. He never responded with hate or violence, even in the most hateful and violent situations, but rather gave those he engaged with the opportunity to transform their anger and frustration through critical thinking.

I’m not going to make this article about left vs. right, conservative vs. liberal, Christian vs. Atheist. Today, this is about honouring Charlie, and the incredible legacy he has left us. I am broken, sad, angry, and still lost for what to say in many ways. There are things I could say, but those things would not honour what Charlie fought for. There are ways I could respond, but they are not the way Charlie would have responded. Let us take today to grieve, but also to remember the world Charlie was fighting for. Let us be angry but not respond with hate. Let us be outraged at the violence but not respond in kind.

As this article comes to a close, I take comfort in Charlie’s faith. Four days before his death he posted this: “Jesus defeated death so you can live.” Today, death defeated Charlie’s mortal body, but he now lives on in glory with Jesus who defeated eternal death.

Just hours before his death, Charlie’s wife, Erika, posted: “Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Please join me and The Daily Examiner team in praying that this will be very true for Erika and Charlie’s two children over the coming days.

Rest in Peace Charlie, your impact on this world will NEVER be forgotten.

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