Image Credit: Charlie Kirk / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The violent assassination of conservative leader and patriot Charlie Kirk on September 10 has had staggering effects through the nation, both for those mourning the loss of a role model, friend, and father, and in the vehemence of those celebrating what should only be seen as a tragedy.
In Tennessee, these ideologies have clashed as Christians and conservatives have acted to protect and honor his legacy.
Following the shooting on Wednesday, several employees of Tennessee educational institutions made social media posts containing denigrating and inappropriate comments about Kirk’s death.
One was Michael Rex, a gender-confused Professor of English and Creative Writing at Cumberland University (CU). He responded to the murder by writing, “Kharma is a beautiful bitch.” Another post referred to Kirk as a “Nazi”.
After public outcry, including from pro-life advocate Kristan Hawkins, Rex deleted the posts and issued what appears to be a hasty and misspelled apology, saying in part, “I did not think about the pain and anger that my words would create…To Mr. Kirk’s family, I am deeply sorry if what I posted added to their horrifying hurt.”
The President of CU issued a statement emphasizing that, “Callous and insensitive comments that cause harm in the wake of tragedy have no place in our community and are not reflective of our University’s values.” No specific faculty members were mentioned and there have been no reports of any official action taken by the university regarding Rex at the time of this writing.
Another incident revolves around Laura Sosh-Lightsy, Assistant Dean of Students at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Her social media post read, “Looks like ol’ Charlie spoke his fate into existence. Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy.”
In response, MTSU fired her “effective immediately”, chastising her “inappropriate and callous comments”.
MTSU’s President released a follow-up statement further explaining their actions, “Speech can have consequences, and her thoughtlessness and lack of empathy mean that no one walking into her office can see her as an objective arbiter of facts.”
At East Tennessee State University (ETSU), two faculty members have been suspended in response to complaints made about the social media posts of Andrew Herrmann and Russ Brown, one of which claimed Kirk “reaped what he sowed.” The employees have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, but many are calling for terminations.
Democrat State Senator London Lamar has also found herself under scrutiny as GOP leadership and citizens have rebuked her statement calling for Turning Point USA (TPUSA) events to be cancelled at University of Memphis “out of fear of violence and threat to public safety.”
Yet Kirk’s positive impacts have far outweighed those who might attempt to demean and mock his sacrifice. The outpouring of love, support, and determination to continue the work Kirk began is echoing from college campuses to churches to political organizations and leaders across Tennessee.
On the evening of September 11 the Memphis Young Republicans hosted a vigil in Kirk’s honor, and the Conservative Club of Tellico gathered at a local church with the community to mourn over Kirk’s passing and remember the lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“I believe that there would not have been a second Trump term without Charlie Kirk. I’ll never forget the tears that Charlie shed on the night of November 5th after it was made official that President Trump had secured enough electoral votes to be declared the victor. We owe a lot to Charlie! In fact, I’d be so bold to say that Charlie truly SAVED AMERICA!!” wrote Club President Rick Dramm.
Tennessee Stands appealed to the “young people of Tennessee: Charlie Kirk knew the risks every time he stepped onto a campus. Yet, he pushed forward. No one in our time fought harder for you. And you are his legacy. Do not fear. Know Jesus and know Him well. Get married. Have children. Love them well. And fight for your family every day for the rest of your life. This was Charlie’s best advice to young people. And it’s the best you will ever get. America will live because of you. And we’ll fight with you every step of the way.”
The Tennessee Eagle Forum also released a press release offering condolences to Charlie’s widow, Erika, and their children, mourning “alongside countless others who admired his dedication and leadership.” They also call for his memory to be honored by “recommitting ourselves to the principles he championed.”
And Tennessee Conservative founder Brandon Lewis wrote, “Mr. Kirk set the imitable standard for us all… and paid the ultimate cost in the defense of our traditional American values…Turn that rage and sorrow into ACTION. Turn your back on apathy and complacency.”
On a national platform, Kirk has been honored by some of the country’s top leaders including the Secretaries of War, Health, and State, the Directors of National Intelligence and the FBI, and the Vice President, who helped carry Kirk’s casket onto Air Force Two for his family’s return to Arizona.
President Trump issued a proclamation on the eve of Kirk’s murder ordering all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until sundown on Sunday, Sept. 14 and spoke for over four minutes on Charlie’s impact in America. He also announced on Thursday morning during a 9/11 observance ceremony that Kirk is to posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions and millions of people…We miss him greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on,” the President declared.
In a memorial statement, Turning Point USA highlighted Charlie’s “overwhelming passion for life and a deep belief in his power as an individual to make a difference… His energy and drive were awe-inspiring, without equal, and deeply infectious… His values were timeless American ones: Honesty, forthrightness, duty, loyalty, and fair play.”
But most of all, Charlie wished to be associated with his devotion to Christ, a virtue he consistently reiterated and encapsulated in his desire to be remembered for “courage for my faith.”
Would that we all carry as valiant a devotion to Christ, liberty, and the American values Charlie Kirk surrendered his life to protect.
*Writer’s Personal Note: In writing this on September 11, Patriot Day, my heart is heavy with remembrance, and my tears of grief freely flow. Charlie was an exemplary patriot, driven by his deep love of Christ. I pray you take this report, and all the others you have read or seen, and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you in comfort and reveal your place in this fight that is very real and very vital. Charlie’s death is not the end of his legacy, but the beginning. May we all strive to live and die so wholly for the Gospel as he did and may the blood of this martyr water the seeds of revival. Maranatha.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
3 Responses
Charlie was an amazing and rare man while on this earth. One of the few good men who truly walked as he talked. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was making amazing inroads to lead our young adults into truth, love and light, which is why the darkness that has consumed our government and so many American’s , could not allow that to go on. While grieving in our spirit, we can be comforted by the fact that Charlie is in the presence of the King of Kings, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who will be coming soon to stamp out all the evil works of the devil.
RIP Charlie Kirk, soldier of God, martyred on the front line by lucifer’s vile violent dimmercraps. Hope to see you next life.
“Education” is terminally infested with lucifer’s accursed dimmercraps.
I am devastated. A good man, shot down by who? This was not a lone assailant, like RFK and MLK? NO. And neither was their deaths! This was a planned event, military preciseness, deep state objective. Shot down for his SPEECH, and goodness. I hope our anger drives us to action, stand up for freedom, and against the woke, progressive, twisted ideologies that have tried to take us all dow and for our Constitution and God. God bless you Charlie, we love you and will remember you.