In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder, countless articles have been written about him. Most simply mention he was a conservative activist, as if he advocated for traditional conservative principles like small government or individual liberties. 

What’s often left out are his actual words, perhaps because they aren’t suitable to print. About Black people he said, “If I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like, boy, I hope he’s qualified,” and that Martin Luther King Jr. was “awful.” Speaking about Taylor Swift and a woman’s role, he said, “Reject feminism. Submit to your husband, Taylor. You’re not in charge.” And on doctors providing health care to trans people, “We need to have a Nuremberg-style trial for every gender-affirming clinic doctor. We need it immediately.”

This is just a sampling. His thoughts on immigrants, Muslim and Jewish people, the LGBTQ community and, ironically, victims of gun violence, are well documented and equally reprehensible. 

Does this make his murder justified? Absolutely not. But does that mean we have to pretend he made positive contributions to this country? That he didn’t contribute to the divisive and violent environment that ultimately claimed his life? No.

And, since Kirk was such a staunch supporter of unfettered, unpunished free speech, what better way to honor him than to speak freely and without fear on what a hate-filled man he was?

Brian Fudge
South Portland