The subject few will talk about

EDITOR’S NOTE: To bring into discussion the apparent widespread trauma following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the VanCougar suspends its editorial practice of publishing only on-the- record comments to allow, in this story only, anonymity of fearful WSUV students.

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 and its aftermath have amplified mistrust and fear among students at WSU Vancouver. When approached for comment, few were willing to discuss the topic, a significant contrast to the students of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire who have openly commented on Kirk’s death and political violence weeks before he was scheduled to speak there in a debate.

The VanCougar approached 10 students to ask about their thoughts on Kirk’s assassination. Two students refused to comment entirely, while very few agreed to go on record with their names published.

Renae Miller, a freshman human development major, shared that the news made her reflect on her tolerance.

“No one deserves that.” she said. “…It makes me think more about how people shouldn’t judge others, how they think or feel about it.”

Two anonymous students acknowledged compassion for Kirk’s family but expressed that they struggled to feel the same for Kirk himself.

“I feel sympathy for his family, but I don’t necessarily feel bad for him because of the hate he stirred, but no one deserves to be murdered,” one said.

“I am little worried about him becoming a martyr, I’ve seen a lot of people who were central now leaning more conservative, but it hasn’t affected my life, no,” said the other.

Freshman psychology major Kaden Lawson felt that the aftermath was unsettling, and that “It’s unfortunate that people resort to violence.”

Junior pharmacology and toxicology student Taye Ansah focused on the way Kirk’s death was circulated online, adding that exposure to violent footage on social media can be traumatizing.

“It’s a tragedy that someone was executed like that in front of people…Some people had to see it on social media, I didn’t see it, people are being traumatized from viewing it on social media, if Donald Trump can take down TikTok he can take down the videos, so people don’t have to see stuff like that.”

Another anonymous student expressed admiration for Kirk and said they were personally moved by his death.

“His death had an impact,” they said. “It did, I liked Charlie, I cried the day after and I’m not much of a crier and not knowing this guy…The fundamental things he preached about are some of the tenets I hold, like the Constitution and the moral principles of Christianity. What he did took courage, more courage than I have to go out and debate people.”

Another anonymous student pointed out how the attention given to Kirk’s assasination is a significant contrast to the lack of coverage of violence towards people of color.

“People that look like us get killed like that all the time, and there is no reaction in the media,” they said. 

Another anonymous student noted how a separate tragedy that happened the same day was completely overshadowed by Kirk’s death.

“…That same day there was a school shooting in Colorado and three kids were critically injured,” they said. “But Charlie Kirk has been all over the media.”

The assassination of Kirk did not come as a shock to another anonymous student, and instead they felt numbness.

“When it first happened, I wasn’t shocked, which is an indication that political violence is becoming way too normal and expected in America right now,” they said.