Nothing brings a country together like a national tragedy, but after the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk, the country seems split in half.
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On one side, many have condemned any and all violence in the name of politics; on the other, folks are less sympathetic at the death of such a polarizing figure. Despite Kirk’s inflammatory rhetoric, Prominent Black figures and leaders are urging folks to come together.
Many expected a polarizing figure like Kirk — famous for his often anti-Black, anti-LGBT and pro-gun beliefs — to court more division among Black folks in his death. But instead, Democrats and far-left activists have condemned the assassination.
Motivational speaker and Pan-African activist Dr. Umar said he’s ashamed of folks celebrating the tragic loss of life. In a statement released on Instagram, he wrote, “While I did not agree with Mr. Kirk’s rhetoric, and considered him to be an anti-Black bigot, I will never rejoice at the loss of life of anyone who hasn’t directly participated in the unaliving of a member of the Black Afrikan race.”
He continued, “We know all to[o] well that the greatest recipients of political assassinations in this country have been out own people,” referring to folks like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. Umar continued, “Stop laughing at the misfortunes of others and get prepared.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s own children also showed compassion and urged others to do the same. Bernice A. King took to social media to say, “No child anywhere should lose a parent in such a hateful, callous way.” She added, “It will require much more than quoting my father for the United States to evolve from our current conundrum of multi-faceted violence, tragic apathy, and degrading policies.”
Folks praised Bernice for taking the high road, especially given that Kirk was previously a harsh critic of Dr. King, even calling him a “mythological anti-racist creation of the 1960s.” In response to Kirk’s death, Martin Luther King III said, “While I strongly disagree with Charlie Kirk on most issues, especially his comments about my father, we all agree that political violence is inexcusable.” he added, “Disagreements must be addressed through civil conversations and free, fair elections.”
Former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris both spoke out against political violence in light of Kirk’s death. And Black Christians around the country have expressed their sympathies and prayers for Kirk’s family, his supporters and the hundreds of attendees who witnessed the violent killing on Wednesday (Sep. 10).
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