Just for the record: I don't feel any personal sadness for Charlie Kirk or mourn his death the way I would mourn the death of someone I knew.
Because I didn't know Charlie Kirk. I didn't even recognize his name in the news, and when I saw his face I thought "oh it's the small face meme guy." That's literally all I knew him from.
Further, it looks like he was the kind of guy I'd fucking hate. So, ignoring all other factors, I would just think: Good riddance. (His wife and kids? Oh they'll be fine; he left them millions.)
If I felt personal sadness for every person murdered on the planet every day, I'd be paralyzed with sadness and wouldn't be able to think of anything else.
However, the phenomenon of Kirk's killing and the widespread reactions to it are what upset me, because of what it says about the state of political discourse and society.
As far as I can tell, he was trying to engage people in debate, and didn't peddle violence or advocated for the dismantling of democracy. For example, regarding Jan 6th, it seems like he was drawing a distinction between non-violent protesters and those who did behave criminally and violently.
He was partaking in the liberal democratic process of exercising free speech trying to change people's minds when he was shot. The symbolic meaning of this is harrowing to me.
I think I'll continue some of my thoughts in a blog post...
Because I didn't know Charlie Kirk. I didn't even recognize his name in the news, and when I saw his face I thought "oh it's the small face meme guy." That's literally all I knew him from.
Further, it looks like he was the kind of guy I'd fucking hate. So, ignoring all other factors, I would just think: Good riddance. (His wife and kids? Oh they'll be fine; he left them millions.)
If I felt personal sadness for every person murdered on the planet every day, I'd be paralyzed with sadness and wouldn't be able to think of anything else.
However, the phenomenon of Kirk's killing and the widespread reactions to it are what upset me, because of what it says about the state of political discourse and society.
As far as I can tell, he was trying to engage people in debate, and didn't peddle violence or advocated for the dismantling of democracy. For example, regarding Jan 6th, it seems like he was drawing a distinction between non-violent protesters and those who did behave criminally and violently.
He was partaking in the liberal democratic process of exercising free speech trying to change people's minds when he was shot. The symbolic meaning of this is harrowing to me.
I think I'll continue some of my thoughts in a blog post...
ひげ
@taylan something about your post stuck out to me. About his kids and family being fine because he left them millions. It's not just about the money. The kids are now growing up with a single parent unless she decides to remarry. They all have to live knowing what happened to their husband and father. That's something that a lot of money can't just make disappear.
@beardalaxy @taylan It's the kind of thing I think only someone who hasn't lost a parent could say.
Follow
@pettanko @taylan I haven't lost a parent and I can't even imagine it, but at least I have enough sense to understand the kind of impact it can have on a family even if they're well off and the kids are young. Saying "oh the kids will be fine, they're too young to create a bond and they have lots of money" is retarded.
@beardalaxy @pettanko @taylan Not to mention that they were already creating a bond in their formative years with him and now it has been stolen from them. Those early years are so important to gain a healthy attachment style. Even if they can't remember him. It is hard to lose a parent whatever age you are and however much you have. Hard to fathom a mindset that dismisses this.
