Students Respond to the Death of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk
A Bluefield University student displays her Freedom shirt in honor of Charlie Kirk, who wore a Freedom shirt the day he died.
Photo provided by Rampage student photographer Rachel Hendrick
When Blake Carter heard that Charlie Kirk had been shot, he knew the reaction was not going to be good.
“That was what was permeating my mind,” Carter said. “I kind of knew where we were in terms of the political dynamic, and I knew what was about to happen.”
Watching people “brazenly expressing joy” at Kirk’s death made Carter consider how people think about each other.
“Our neighbors aren’t necessarily the thoughts that are going through their heads and the things that they speak,” Carter said. “We will love people because they are made in God’s image and because they are human, not because of any ideas or any of the things that come out of their mouth.”
Kirk’s assassination on September 10th shocked people across the nation, including students at Bluefield University.
“It made me think about if I should still do what I’ve always been doing, which is standing up for what I believe in and stating my opinions,” Callie Dent said.
She and her family used to watch Kirk’s debates. Dent said Kirk “brought the younger generation closer to God” and encouraged them to stand up for their beliefs even when other people argue with them.
Known for conservative Christian beliefs, Charlie Kirk’s tagline was “Prove me wrong.” He was shot and killed during a debate at Utah Valley University.
Carter called Kirk an “average person’s advocate,” saying that things Kirk said were “common-sense” as he tried to steer the nation in a more Christian direction.
Carly Wright respected Kirk’s boldness to speak in public places and share the gospel, adding that “what he knew to be true he spoke as if it were the truth.” She said Kirk’s death was a loss to many people, especially the Christian community.
Kirk’s death made Wright realize “how divided our country really is and how someone could get shot over a difference of opinion.”
Wright added, “It made me want to be more vocal about the gospel and just the sharing of it because that is something that he did.”
Cora Thornton said she and her softball team were “very upset and disturbed” by Kirk’s death.
“Nothing like that should ever happen to anybody, no matter what political party you are,” Thornton said.
She learned from Kirk how to be respectful when debating with other people. Describing Kirk as “a good godly Christian man” who stood up for his beliefs, Thornton said, “he fought for America because all he wanted to do was make it better.”
America is about freedom of speech, Thornton continued. Nobody should be shot over their opinion.
Carter agreed. “Regardless of what anyone is saying, we cannot celebrate the death of another image-bearer of God.”