One Year After Charlie Kirk: WSUV Students Reflect on the Rise of Political Violence

It has been one year since the assassination of Charlie Kirk–founder of Turning Point USA–a moment where the nation seemed to stop and reflect on the growing trend of political violence in the US.  

Given that Kirk’s death transpired on a university campus, the VanCougar spoke to students last year about their thoughts and feelings on Kirk and the rise of political violence. This year, we asked students how they feel about the state of the nation in regard to political violence, and if they worried about it appearing during the midterm elections. 

WSUV student, Robert, lamented the inability of some Americans to disagree peacefully with one another, saying that was one thing he agreed with Kirk on.  

Though he expressed faith in the people, he said he worried about the potential for political violence appearing in the midterms, adding that there is a lot of fear and anxiety amongst people currently. Robert added that he feels there is a growing number of people who are sick of the violence, which gives him hope. 

“While we won’t always agree, we have to recognize–in a firm way–that each of our lives are valuable,” Robert said.   

WSUV student, Bryce–while clarifying that disagreement shouldn’t turn to violence–wasn’t as worried about the midterms. Bryce elaborated that while at one point he felt it was a bit of a concern, he also feels that Kirk’s death showed people what they don’t want for the US. 

WSUV student, Elizabeth, is not concerned for her own safety, but for the safety of others as the midterms progress. She said she feels things have gotten worse and that many things happening in the nation are making people mad, increasing her concern about political violence.  

Meanwhile, WSUV student, Kelsey, felt that although political violence has increased in the US, it is still less than what other countries are dealing with. 

“I feel like it doesn’t happen as much as people think, especially when compared to other countries where political assassinations have been normalized.” She added that she feels political violence has been sensationalized in the news and American culture given that people are not used to seeing it here as much. 

 However, Kelsey supplemented that she thinks the nation is starting to “drift toward a reluctant acceptance” of political violence.