Charlie's Superpower

To me, it wasn’t about what Charlie Kirk stood for, it was about how he stood for it.

Charlie was a rare example of someone who could stay calm and rational in debate without dehumanizing his opponents. He was often met with snarky, combative, or vitriolic energy, yet he never mirrored it. That takes real discipline. Even when faced with harsh criticism or hostility, he remained composed and respectful. I had never seen him engage in ad hominem, dehumanizing, or name calling. He maintained his dignity while extending dignity to others, even to those who offered him none.

That was Charlie’s superpower.

Lately I’ve seen a lot of conversation about who might “fill his shoes.” Sadly, I don’t see anyone quite like him yet that already exists in this space. I see too many fragile egos, people who will insult your mother or tell you to “gfy” if you push back on them even slightly. Humility seems to be hard to come by. And while some are now praising him, it’s hard to forget how they didn’t just “not always agree with him,” they trashed Charlie with personal attacks and petty name calling while he was alive. I believe much of it stemmed from jealousy, knowing deep down they could never actually do what Charlie was doing. Instead of seeing him as the incredible asset he was to the mission of truth, they picked him apart.

What Charlie accomplished was no small thing, he was reaching massive amounts of young people and inspiring them to question the mainstream narratives they’d been force-fed all their lives. He was getting a demographic still heavily concerned with “fitting in” to step outside the status quo. That’s much more difficult than preaching to an older audience who already agrees with you. What’s lacking in his absence isn’t just another strong voice, but a leader who could genuinely engage, inspire, open and change minds, and guide the next generation beyond the safety of their echo chambers.

There’s no doubt that Charlie left a void, one that many feel called to now help fill. I hope as we attempt to fill it, we’ll remember that his legacy was not just defined by what he fought for, but how he fought for it. And I hope that we will borrow from his methods of human dignity, grace, and the restraint that allows true dialogue to take root. If we can somehow carry that forward, the impact he made will continue to ripple far beyond his tragically short time here.