It has been a sad, sickening week for America.
Our country witnessed a terrible event. A young man was gunned down doing what he loved—debating all comers on a college campus on behalf of his passionately held beliefs.
The pictures will linger in our minds. Some were from better times. Charlie Kirk with his wife, Erika, and their two young children. Charlie debating on other campuses. Leading conventions of his organization, Turning Point USA. Standing with his friend President Trump on a campaign rally stage.
Others are from the aftermath. Grainy pictures of the suspected shooter released as officials hunted for him. The accused assassin’s mug shot. Crowds of young people on campuses across the nation holding candlelight vigils and memorials for their now-departed champion. The president, shaken by the death of his supporter and friend. The vice president excusing himself from a 9/11 event in New York to fly to Utah to accompany his friend’s lifeless body home to Arizona. The slain man’s wife filled with grief, describing how the couple’s 3-year-old daughter asked her, “Where’s Daddy?” To which Erika replied, “Baby, Daddy loves you so much. Don’t you worry. He’s on a work trip with Jesus.”
Charlie was a 31-year-old political advocate, organizer and entrepreneur. Rather than going to college, he started Turning Point USA. For he loved America—its story, promise and ideals—and wanted it to prosper and grow. Within a dozen years, he grew from an eager teenage politico to confidant of the president. Few people have had as big an influence at such a young age as Charlie Kirk.
Much has been said and written about his extraordinary life and horrific death. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was one of the first voices to capture our attention. In anguish, he said, “We just need every single person in this country to think about where we are and where we want to be, to ask ourselves, ‘Is this it? Is this what 250 years has wrought on us?’ ” His answer was a challenge. “All of us,” he said, must “try to find a way to stop hating our fellow Americans.”
Despite this earnest plea, there has been a disturbing and growing undercurrent in our national conversation and on the internet, a pronounced emphasis on “they” and “them.” Charlie would be alive but for “them.” “They” killed him. “They” are responsible for his death. “They” must be made to pay.
No. Charlie Kirk wasn’t killed by “them.” “They” didn’t pull the trigger. One person did, apparently a young man driven by impulse and a terrible hate. If there were a “they” involved, law enforcement would find “them” and the justice system would hold “them” accountable. But “he” and “him” are the correct pronouns for this horrendous act.
