Christian Peterson
news@greenepublishing
As I am sitting here writing this, it's still dark out. I usually get to the office a little early, but today is different. Today, I left the house, drove to work, and sat down at my computer because I couldn't sleep. A lot of people had very fitful nights of sleep. As I write this, it is the morning of Thursday, Sept. 11. Today, we are supposed to remember the tragedy that took place in 2001; I am still reeling from what happened yesterday, Wednesday, Sept. 10. I saw an assassination unfold yesterday - a political assassination, against a fine man.
Many of you probably have heard of Charlie Kirk; he was an incredibly vocal guy. He worked tirelessly across the United States of America. Many people regard him as the reason Donald Trump became our president in 2024. He was a co-founder of a massive organization, Turning Point USA. He was a commentator. He ran a daily podcast. He helped people register to vote. He was a husband. He was a father. He was also a Christian, a saved man, who proclaimed Christ's resurrection everywhere he went. He connected with millions, and he stood up for everyone. To the world, Charlie Kirk was the man standing between the violence, standing in-between the two sides, putting his hands out, stopping everyone, and calling for everyone to be better.
I was 17 years old when I left home. I was angry at my life, I was angry at my parents, and I was angry at God. With parental permission, I left Florida and moved to Arizona, staying in a spare room in my grandparents' house. I hadn't decided whether to go to college; I had no idea what to do with my life. I was utterly and totally lost, just a kid trying to figure stuff out. I can't tell you the first time I saw a Charlie Kirk video, because I don't remember. I remember my father saying I should check him out, and I did. I followed him from that moment on. I listened to him daily on his podcast and learned so much from him. I dreamed of one day working side-by-side with him. I held the utmost respect for him. I remember when I left Arizona to move back to Florida to propose to my wife; Charlie Kirk was part of the reason I made that decision. He would often speak of the importance of marriage, the importance of children, and the importance of family. As I drove across the country, an almost 2,000-mile journey, I brought along a friend of mine for the ride, hoping he would help keep me awake. He slept the majority of the car ride, so I turned on “The Charlie Kirk Show.” I would listen, laugh out loud, get angry, and for hours on end, listen to this man, who was a genius. I would quote President Donald Trump as each new podcast started, “Charlie is an incredible guy, his spirit, his love of this country” - a statement that played at the beginning of every episode. Charlie Kirk influenced me in ways that very few people have. I am far from alone in that. He influenced me to get married. I chose not to go to college partially because of him. I woke up to dangers around me because of him. I started caring about the world, about family, about the way of the world. Charlie Kirk influenced my life and worldview more than I can communicate.
I never got the pleasure of meeting him. Now I never will. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk was assassinated. At the time I am writing this, the suspect in his murder is still at large. He was shot in front of thousands, and he was shot because he dared to speak. Charlie Kirk never called for violence; he never called for anything of the sort. He was the best there was in politics. Charlie Kirk was kind, gentle, loving; there wasn't a mean bone in his body. He offered everyone a chance to speak freely, and he was willing to debate anyone. He focused on helping younger generations get involved in politics. But, to him, it wasn't about getting into politics; it was about civic duty. It was about the ideals of the United States of America. He believed in free speech, and he believed in healthy debate. He believed in the free exchange of ideas, no matter who was speaking. He defended the unborn, the younger generations, Christians and everyone. He did nothing but speak, and he was murdered for it.
I wish I had never seen the video. I can't stop seeing it. Every time I close my eyes, I see a man who never knew me, but whom I respected above most others, dying. I see a father of two little children, a husband, a man who simply wanted to talk, dying. Just a few months before he died, Charlie Kirk warned about the rise of assassination culture in the United States. Specifically, there is the rise of violence on the left side of the political aisle. Forty-eight percent of liberals said it would be somewhat justified to murder Elon Musk, and 55 percent said the same about Donald Trump (Network Contagion Research Institute). I have seen posts and celebrations about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I am angry, but anger isn't the right word. I am sad, but sad isn't the right word. I am heartbroken, but that isn't the right word. There are no words to describe this pain, and if I feel this way, I can't imagine how those who knew him personally feel.
There is danger in our country. There is a side of people who call for violence. There are people out there who are willing to murder you and me, and who did murder Charlie Kirk, simply for what we believe. This is a dark time for America. It's a defining time for America. I think there are a lot of people to blame. I believe there are horrible people on the left side of the political aisle who hoped for this. I think there are people who have fueled it through rhetoric and were hoping something like this would happen. I think it's time we acknowledge that there are too many people out there who have been lied to and so misled that they will kill anyone who dares speak out against them. Because that is all Charlie Kirk ever did: speak. I am angry beyond words. I want to fight back. I just don't know how. Charlie Kirk did, though, and he fought until the end.
Charlie Kirk was a good man, not because of his own merit, but because of Jesus. That is something he would have said himself. Christ was the center of his life. He wanted that to be true for everyone; that was no secret. I don't think there is a point to this opinion piece. I don't want to make a good man's death all about how dangerous the other side is, even if it's true. I don't want to make a good man's death all about this or that. I haven't slept, and I know millions are in the same boat. I am mourning the loss of a good man, arguably the best that we have had in our modern times. Pray for his family, and never ever forget Sept. 10, 2025, the day Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking.
This is an opinion piece. The article depicts the views of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Greene Publishing.