The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a great loss not only conservatives, but for all who embrace open and thoughtful debate on the critical issues facing our republic.
Conservatives are struggling to process the loss of a bright and positive voice whose life’s work was to openly engage and debate those who disagreed with his views. We are struggling to process that his assassination happened here in Utah at what was to be the first stop of his American Comeback Tour. We are struggling to understand why political discourse far too often results in violence.
Charlie once said, “If you believe in something, you need to have the courage to fight for those ideas — not run away from them or try and silence them.”
Far too often, conservatives cower from engaging those who disagree and simply smile politely and hold our tongue.
Not Charlie. He took the debate not to those of us who are set in our dogma and political ideology, but to our youth. He engaged young people in colleges, where many believe conservative values and ideas are stifled and marginalized.
He did not look to shut down or dismiss those who disagreed with him, but moved them to the front of the line. He engaged our young people while their minds were still pliable, full of optimism, and eager to step up and have an impact on our world.
He then engaged in respectful, often humorous, and intelligent debate. He used his exceptional intellect and oratory skills to counter many misconceptions and give a voice to conservative points of view. The results were, and still are, staggering.
Through Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk transformed those debates into a national movement. What began as a few campus conversations spread to thousands of chapters across high schools and universities, giving young conservatives a place to organize and be heard. His conferences regularly drew thousands of students eager to engage, and his media platforms reached millions more.
The result is a generation emboldened to speak with conviction, shifting the political landscape, and ensuring that conservative values have a strong voice among America’s youth.
Even if you don’t agree with Charlie’s beliefs, you have to respect the way he accomplished change. His ability and willingness to engage those who disagreed with him and challenge his principles in a respectful manner is what will be missed.
Our collective loss is not the silencing of his beliefs — those live on within most conservatives. What we have lost is a leading voice in open and thoughtful debate.
Leaders on both sides of the aisle often look to silence those who oppose their views. Be it through labels, personal attacks or a dismissive wave of the hand. We attack with disdain, superiority and anger.
Our leaders look to cut off funding to institutions and organizations that promote unwelcome views, or bolster programs that support our agenda.
Worst of all, we distance ourselves from friends and family who do not agree with our political worldview.
Rather than just shaking our heads at this and other acts of political violence and allowing it to feed the hatred of those with opposing views, let’s follow Charlie’s lead.
Rather than dismissing those who hold opposing views, let’s move people who disagree to the front of the line.
Rather than making every debate personal, let’s engage with respect.
Rather than fueling our hate, let’s use humor and facts to make our case.
Rather than focusing on those of us who are set in our political dogma, let’s engage our optimistic and willing youth.
Many of my conservative friends are struggling. They are feeling a great loss of hope and a sense of profound despair in people, in our institutions, and in our society. Others are leaning into their anger and focusing it toward our more liberal friends. None of this is what Charlie would do.
Charlie showed us that courage, respect and conviction can move hearts and change minds. His life was proof that open debate, grounded in principle and delivered with optimism, can build bridges instead of burning them. If we truly want to honor his memory, then we should take up that charge: to speak boldly, listen carefully, and engage with those who disagree without fear or contempt.
So while we can agree to disagree with what Charlie stood for, let’s at least hold up the principles of how he effected change.
Ari Ioannides, chair of the Summit County Republicans, is a recovering tech entrepreneur, founder of BootUP PD, and serves on local government and nonprofit boards. He offers a conservative perspective on local politics. He can be reached at [email protected]