On September 11, a day after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Auburn University Professor Candice Hale made a Facebook post stating, “I do not mourn oppressors. I do not show them empathy.” Just a few hours later, she was called into a meeting with a university supervisor, and two days later the college released an announcement that Hale was placed on administrative leave.
This event is just one of many in the recent trend of disciplinary actions being taken against employees for public statements about Kirk. Since the death of the popular political activist, media discourse has spiraled out of control with strong sentiments from both sides of the political field. Whether it be for siding with Kirk or for being against him, many individuals, including high profile figures, have been criticized in recent weeks.
A little over a month ago, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended due to controversies over the host’s commentary on the assassination of Kirk. Although the show was eventually reinstated, the temporary suspension raised widespread concerns about the current state of free speech in America.
In another incident, Palmetto Bay Councilman Stephan Cody drew backlash after responding to a meme quoting Kirk, who had once stated, “It’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment.” Cody replied, “Charlie Kirk is a fitting sacrifice to our Lords: Smith & Wesson. Hallowed be their names.” Referencing the American firearm manufacturer, Cody’s sarcastic remark faced immense outrage from residents. Despite the controversy, however, the mayor of Palmetto Bay announced that the council has no legal authority to remove Cody unless he resigns, as stated in The New York Times.
Cody has since then deleted the post and issued an apology, explaining that he does not support gun violence and had only meant to point out the irony in Kirk’s death. Still, his apology has not been well received by most of the public.
In rural Texas, the effects of Kirk’s passing sparked another incident. According to The New York Times, the conflict began when Danielle Meyers, a firefighter-paramedic and bisexual woman, made a Facebook post mocking Kirk’s death, which she later deleted. Mike Arnold, volunteer mayor of Blanco, Texas, had been encouraging many communities on Facebook to identify and expose individuals disrespecting Kirk’s death when he discovered Meyers’ post.
“Do not miss the weight of this moment,” he stated on the day of Kirk’s death. “We need men and women of faith, courage, and action who will take the fight to the enemy—lawfully, openly, fearlessly.”
Arnold’s followers soon found Meyers’ job and flooded her workplace, eventually pressuring the fire department to fire her after continuous complaint calls criticizing her were made. Meanwhile, Arnold is continuing to post about those he views as “critics of Kirk,” with this digital civil war shows no signs of ceasing.
In the aftermath of his death, whatever small sense of balance America once had seemed to have appeared to have completely crumbled. Instead of coming together to mourn the death of a man, regardless of political beliefs, the country has only further polarized. People continue to point fingers and use events as such to paint one side as the villain, standing more divided than ever. But amid all the hostility and fear, what America needs now is unity, not hatred. Until citizens can recognize this truth and set aside their political differences, the country cannot truly be one.
