Charlie Kirk. As I previously mentioned, I was one of the few people who had never heard of Charlie Kirk before his murder. Because of his importance, I knew I needed to learn more about him.
Before I began my research, I was clear I do not support the murder of anyone over their political beliefs. I do not celebrate his death.
As I started my investigation, I was well aware that many praised him and many disliked him. My intention was to neither sanctify him or vilify him. I assumed he was human and probably believed and did some things with which I agree and some things with which I disagree.
My intention was to write about issues. Knowing where he stood on matters was relatively easy and not marred by misinformation. His comments were either said publicly or posted on social media. Most of his statements were filmed or recorded. I am confident in accurate reporting of his comments and the context for them.
The Baptist News Global recorded a list of statements that some would agree with and others would not. The entire list can be found at Charlie Kirk in his own words – Baptist News Global.
I will not cover all of the issues but I want to address a few of them. Today is the first one. I repeat murder is wrong. I will try addressing issues in the same manner I would if he were here to discuss them.
Kirk called Martin Luther King Jr. “not a good person.” At Turning Point USA’s America Fest in 2023, he declared, “MLK was awful. He’s not a good person. He said one good thing he actually didn’t believe.”
Context: The speech he gave is recorded and available to see and hear. This is not misinformation. The fact that it is a speech and not an off -the-cuff response to a question on a podcast or other setting is important. It shows he planned to say it to his organization. As the leader of that organization his words form or certainly influence policy.
If he had said MLK was an adulterer, or a philanderer, I would agree. But if adultery qualifies you to be an awful person, then he chose to be friends with some awful people.
Webster defines awful as extremely disagreeable or objectionable. I did not find MLK to be disagreeable or objectionable.
Charlie Kirk was born in 1994. He was not alive during MLK’s lifetime. I lived through the Civil Rights era. The choices at that time involved armed conflict between both sides or peaceful civil disobedience. Whites were as ready to fight as were Blacks.
I do not find MLK to be objectionable for choosing peaceful civil disobedience, I am very grateful to him. His courageous leadership saved lives and improved civil rights. Both of those are commendable not objectionable.
Please remember, any debate you have with me is about an issue. Charlie Kirk said MLK was an awful man. I disagree.
The need to improve civil rights was a real need. Thanks to the generosity of friends, Jeny and I attended the Mobile Symphony in the Saenger Theater on Sunday. As usual I was in awe of the skills of the musicians. We sat on the ground floor.
At one time I had administrative responsibilities for the theater. My first trip to the theater I was shone a sign stored in the basement. It read Colored Entrance. If they were allowed to attend, Blacks could only enter through that door and had to sit in the balcony. MLK was not an awful man in my opinion because his peaceful approach led to the removal of that sign, separate entrances, separate drinking fountains and much more.
Even long after MLK’s death and during our time in Mobile, Blacks were not allowed in certain Mardi Gras societies and even worse could not be guests at some balls held in the tax supported Civic Center. Mobile has made progress in that regard but I would prefer recognition and appreciation of change rather than denigration of the leader in that progress.
Having said that, readers of my blog know I think the pendulum has swung too far left in certain areas. However, denigrating past progress is supporting a past way of life that was unjust. I prefer pointing out where we may need to reverse the pendulum today, without besmirching past progress.
This and That
When a government shut-down occurred under President Obama, Donald Trump gave a very interesting interview. I encourage everyone to hear what he said.
I pray that the peace accord in the Middle East is lasting and spreads beyond the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Good News
Dozens Of Strangers Lift Crashed Helicopter To Save Trapped Medic In Sacramento Miracle
Off-Duty Firefighter Pulls Woman From Burning Car Just Seconds Before It Explodes
https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/5932/Brother-Saves-Nonverbal-Little-Sister-From-Lake-In-Florida
Peace
Jerry
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