By Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
www.blackenterprise.com
As the fatal shooting of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk made headlines, Black people shared their reactions to the polarizing incident.
Kirk died during an event on Sept. 10 for Turning Point USA, a nonprofit for conservative youth co-founded by the Christian Nationalist, at Utah Valley University. The graphicness of the scene sparked its own controversy, with many political figures condemning the violence.
President Donald Trump, whom Kirk was a staunch supporter of, had all U.S. flags lowered to half-mast after his death. He even suggested that he remains a “legendary” figure who had the “heart of the youth,” Reuters reported.
However, many Black people had differing reactions to Kirk’s death. The 31-year-old conservative pundit became a notorious leading voice of the alt-right movement. He often used his platform to promote white supremacist ideologies as well as racist and prejudiced rhetoric. Right before his death, Kirk had brought up gang violence, considered coded language for Black people committing crimes, when asked about mass shootings in America.
Given this, some critics had little empathy to spare for his death.
“Charlie Kirk isn’t a martyr. He’s a casualty of the violence he incited,” shared educator and organizer Zellie Imani.
Other social media users shared empathy for his children. However, they could not shake Kirk’s stances against many, if not most, marginalized identity groups.
“I have pity for his kids, but that’s about it. Charlie Kirk was a hateful individual who derived joy from being racist, homophobic, islamophobic, pro-genocide, anti-human rights, a religious fanatic, pro-guns, anti-abortion, anti-women, and anti-people of colour,” wrote another.
While not going as far as celebrating Kirk’s shooting, another X user reminded others that Kirk spent his life demeaning Black people’s plight before his unexpected death.
“I do not CELEBRATE anyone’s death, so I’m not celebrating, but LET THIS BE A LESSON TO OTHERS. Charlie Kirk spent his time on this earth attacking Black people & being racist… & that’s how he’ll be remembered.”
On the other hand, some had more mixed feelings toward the alt-right conservative’s gruesome death. Cultural commentator Van Lathan emphasized that he felt “terrible” about his death, despite all of the man’s offensive words.
“There is no way I’m going to see that video of Charlie Kirk being shot and feel anything other than terrible. I’m aware of all of it, the rhetoric, the hatefulness, all of it from him, but I can’t be robbed of my compassion, that was awful, and we HAVE to try to be better,” expressed Lathan.
However, others also highlighted how his death was an act of gun violence. While not mincing words about Kirk’s suggested ideologies, another X user emphasized how the “lack of gun control” played a role.
“Charlie Kirk was a neo Nazi. And I do not feel bad for neo Nazis,” asserted the social media user. “He was a victim of his own advocacy for a lack of gun control. He advocated for violence against marginalized people for the advancement of white evangelical Christianity and white supremacy.”
While many agreed that gun violence should stop, Black people felt mixed emotions, or no empathy at all, for the man who died while talking about gang violence.
