Death, loss, devastation, three words that describe what America has felt this past week. Nothing can prepare one for the hardship that comes with death. Our country faced loss in the past month from the killing of a young girl on a subway to the killing of innocent children at school, to the assassination of Political Activist, Charlie Kirk. Our country is in what feels like the trenches. Charlie Kirk was a son, husband, and father, a friend, and an influencer to many. According to the New York Times, his wife, Erika, described her husband in an Arizona rally, “My husband Charlie, he is a force, he is bold when the world demands silence, he is fearless where others flinch, and he has taken on the battle of the next generation…” Freedom of speech was a very important part of Charlie Kirk’s life, as well as that of Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband. These politicians were killed because of a difference of opinion and the exercise of their right to freedom of speech. Freedom of Speech should be protected in our country because it is essential to protect our democracy. It allows United States citizens the freedom to express ideas, challenge authority, and hold others accountable.
Charlie Kirk was killed while exercising his freedom of speech at the University of Utah. Mr. Vice President, JD Vance, recently made a speech on political violence through the Charlie Kirk show. Mr. Vice President said, “If you are the kind of person who thinks that Charlie Kirk was justifiably murdered, sometimes the government can’t do anything about that.” Not only did Charlie Kirk face assassination because of his opinions, but so did Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman. ABC News correspondent, Adam Eldeman, quoted from Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin, as saying, “Political violence is a scourge that has taken far too many lives. Enough is enough. It must end now. And in every case, each of us has a responsibility to condemn and reject political violence wherever it rears its head.” Charlie Kirk, Melissa Hortman, and her husband were all assassinated because of a difference in opinions between themselves and their assassins.
These individuals were more than just politicians; they were human beings. Charlie Kirk was 31 years old, had been married for four years, and had two children, ages one and three. Charlie and his wife, Erika, were just starting their lives, and that was ripped away from them in a matter of seconds. Melissa and Mark Hortman had two children, who were just getting the opportunity to see their children grow into their own people. Charlie and Melissa were advocates who encouraged others to fight for what they believed in; however, U.S citizens are concerned and worried about violence because of a difference in opinions or beliefs. Charlie allowed people to disagree with our government and his opinions and encouraged people to question our government’s decisions and hold them accountable. Charlie Kirk 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.”
Freedom of Speech should be protected in our country because it is essential to our democracy. It allows citizens to express ideas, challenge authority, and hold others accountable. Charlie was fierce, bold, and an inspiration to many. He encouraged young adults to fight for their rights, beliefs, and morals. Melissa and her husband paid the ultimate sacrifice after standing for what they believed in.
Assassinating politicians because of a disagreement with their opinion is unacceptable, Vice President JD Vance said in a speech honoring Charlie, “I am desperate for our country to be united in condemnation of the actions and the ideas that killed my friend. I want it so badly. I will tell you the difficult truth. We can only have it with people who acknowledge that political violence is unacceptable. And when we work to dismantle the institutions that promote violence and terrorism in our own country.” This speech not only touched hearts, but encouraged Americans that together we must be unified as one country and not split because of a difference of opinion. American citizens should overlook party lines and political differences and focus more on content and character. We must fight for our country verbally, rather than physically, so that one day, the next generations will have a country where they can peacefully debate their differences without fear of violence.
