Before his assassination on September 10, Charlie Kirk was barely on my radar. I was aware of him, of course. But at my age, I was far outside his target demographic. (I am also somewhat resistant to taking moral and political instruction from anyone born when I was already an adult. I was 25 years old when Charlie Kirk was born on October 14, 1993. Call that my old man’s bias, if you wish.)
That said, in the eleven days since his death, I have made some efforts to watch various clips from his many campus appearances. In all the clips I saw, Kirk was thoughtful, measured, and sincere.
This doesn’t mean that I’m aware of everything he ever said, or that I’m a posthumous superfan. But I have yet to see any evidence of the frothing maniac alleged by the blue-haired crowd.
Kirk was more conservative, and more black-and-white about things, than I am. But he also died before acquiring the life experience to realize that there are many shades of gray where complex philosophical, social, and political issues are concerned. (The young, regardless of their political persuasion, tend to believe themselves the recipients of divine revelation. The real world is always more complicated than they imagine.)
A few days ago, I was walking at my local park. A cluster of four twentysomethings immediately behind me were discussing their plans to attend a Charlie Kirk memorial vigil in our area. They were also recounting the impact Charlie Kirk had had on their individual lives and their generation.
My personal Facebook friends, many of whom are the parents of twentysomethings, also had a lot to say about Charlie Kirk, and most of those messages were positive.
Charlie Kirk’s funeral service will be held today at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Whether you admired Charlie Kirk or not, there is no denying the impact he had, and the affection he inspired in millions of people. A husband and father, he was taken unjustly, and long before his time. He will be sorely missed.
-ET