Charlie Kirk assassination poses a challenge to America’s Christian youth

photo by Meghan Smith Photography Members of the Downtown Woodstock Community, who gathered Sept. 16 in response to Charlie Kirk's assassination, show how far and deeply his influence reached. Participants brought flags, posters, and t-shirts in memory of Kirk.

Charlie Kirk, a Christian conservative activist, resonated with people nationwide through his debates, campus events and media presence. He was assassinated Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University during a speaking and debate series planned by Turning Point USA, but his influence continues to resonate nationwide and in Cherokee County. Backed by Donald Trump, Kirk held conferences sharing his political and faith-based worldviews to college students all over campuses in the U.S. Kirk, unlike many popular debaters, Kirk listened calmly and respectfully to the other sides. This method caused many people to stop and try to understand his side. 

TKA parent, Mr. J. McDaniel, was not only impressed but also inspired by Kirk and the way he was open with his audience. Mr. McDaniel believed Kirk was confident, graceful, funny, kind and above all, he loved Jesus Christ. 

“It is said that Charlie was a force of nature, mature beyond his years and had a natural gift for organizing and raising awareness and funding for his company,” Mr. McDaniel said. “More recently Kirk has been credited as the primary reason Donald Trump was elected to his second term. For the work that he did on college campuses across the country and turning out the largest youth vote a Republican has received ever.”

TKA alumna Ashley Griffin, freshman at Liberty University, shared that the campus held two different sessions to pray over Kirk’s family, his shooter and the people in attendance of the assassination. Griffin was an admirer of Kirk and his work across the U.S.

“It was seeing how confident in his faith he was that made me more confident in mine,” Griffin said. “And just seeing how he would answer all these questions that people would ask him just kind of helped me understand stuff more.” 

TKA alumnus, former Verve staff and student council president, Jonah Sykes, now a political science student at the University of Georgia shared his thoughts on Kirk’s standpoints. 

“I think in terms of political standpoints, he’s the definition of a traditional conservative,” Sykes said. “He didn’t really have particular sticking points. He was a very good representative of the Republican party where it is now. In terms of Biblical beliefs, it ties into that as well. I think a lot of the reason people at TKA would relate to Charlie Kirk is because he seems so close to us with his Biblical beliefs.”

Kirk was not only an impeccable role model but a legend. He leaves behind a legacy so profound and a nationwide impact so immense that today's youth can only hope to fulfill. 

“In short, you’ve gotta be willing to read quite a bit, and subject yourself to being a student of history as well as current events,” Mr. McDaniel said. “You have to know the constitution and your rights as a citizen if you ever hope to preserve them and combat against people that would love nothing more than to take them away. You need to be bold, be brave and be an expert. Do something.” 

Mr. Wes Cantrell, former Georgia State Representative and Chairman of the TKA school board, believes Kirk’s movement must continue. He says Kirk’s legacy will endure, bringing both lessons and efforts to carry it forward.

“Go for it [continuing Kirk’s legacy],” Mr. Cantrell said. “Learn everything you can, study hard, choose hard things, be a difference maker. Don’t just push the easy button. It’s always going to be hard. People are going to hate you for it. But make sure that hatred towards you is illegitimate by not responding in kind. Words are not violence, and you should be able to disagree, but you should be kind and respectful of the way you disagree with people.”