‘Words are like wind’
Since that day, the news is dominated by the tragic end of Charlie Kirk at the hands of a hater. Daily there are tributes, memorials, and personal recollections of this 31-year-old wunderkind who started a conservative youth movement and became a national figure and friend of people in high places and schools across the country.
Kirk was silenced by a single bullet fired by someone who didn’t like what he had to say. That heinous act inflated a universal sadness, as well as grotesque slurs about a dead champion of freedom. And since that day, we’ve learned much about the power of words and the true meaning of free speech.
I like this quote from columnist and educator, John R. Eggers, Ph.D: “Words are like wind and wind can fan a fire… Fight words with words and put out the fires before they start.”
Before they start! A single word can inspire action, but none as dangerous as those fiery, hate-filled words spewed before and after the death of Charlie Kirk.
We’ve learned much about his political and spiritual side in recent days. Above all, he was interested in engagement and civil dialogue with those who disagreed and those who used angry and false words against him.
When opponents called Charlie Kirk a “fascist,” or the president “Hitler,” it conjures up the history and image of evil and unimaginable devastation against humanity. Those words can influence a troubled listener’s perception and justify action, even fatal action.
A solitary word also can be inspirational, as a call to arms for those willing to fight words of hate with other words. Words are like the wind that fans the flame and may inspire the misguided to assign themselves with a pious mission, as may have been the case of the suspected shooter.
I’m not alone in saying how deeply troubled I am by the sounds of the street, today, but more so from politicians in the hallowed halls of the U.S. Congress. The rhetoric of many politicians has gotten increasingly ugly, but the rhetoric from the Left, especially so. It’s indisputable; they all have some responsibility to put out the fire.
We wonder if Charlie Kirk and the new conservative movement could have changed the direction of this dark storm. Can another?
Charlie Kirk tried in the American way – with civil discourse. He toured college campuses with his organization, Turning Point USA, to converse with students interested in the political and cultural scene, or the plainly curious. And he challenged assumptions with civility and sought a change of heart, at least. If anything, his words were persuasive.
He mastered the art of communication and, in so doing, inspired a movement of young conservatives and libertarians with his commitment to the cause of freedom and the message of engagement.
Charlie Kirk did not deserve his fate. Nor did we the people.
Pat Wandling hosts Speak Your Piece weekdays at noon on WBCB 1490.
