When Silence Isn't an Option

Processing the Charlie Kirk assassination has been difficult, especially seeing people celebrate the death of someone for their beliefs regardless of whether you agreed with him.

• When someone is killed for their beliefs, it's bigger than one person—it's an attack on free speech
• Life's fragility is a sobering reminder that we aren't guaranteed tomorrow
• Having courage to speak your mind should never cost anyone their life
• Revenge, hate and more violence only continues the destructive cycle
• We must decide whether to let anger consume us or find a better way forward
• We can debate strongly while still maintaining our shared humanity
• Cherish your loved ones and be present because tomorrow isn't promised

Chapters

• 0:00 Processing Personal Pain
• 0:57 Attack on Free Speech
• 1:39 Finding a Better Way Forward
• 2:19 Remember Our Shared Humanity

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Charlie Kirst's assassination happened one week ago today and it still hurts.

Speaker 1: 0:05

My name is Raul. I own a podcast studio here in Pearland I've been feeling some type of way the last few days In my head. I've had so many thoughts and had so much going on. You know, it's just it hurts to see a lot of you guys celebrate the assassination of a man, a father, a husband, I guess because I like to believe the better in everyone. I like to believe that we're in a better place in this world, and it kind of proved to me that we're not. It was actually kind of scary. You know, I have older girls, I have a young baby, a young baby that her name is Charlie, and you know it just it hurt. Like I say, maybe I live in my own world and I think positive thoughts, rainbows and fucking butterflies, but that's who I am and that's how I live my life. I just wanted to leave y'all with this quick message Charlie Kirst's assassination happened one week ago today and it still hurts.

Speaker 1: 0:57

And it hurts not because I'm you and him personally, but because of what it means when somebody gets killed for what they believe in. That's bigger than one man. That's an attack on all of us on free speech, on the right to stand up and speak your mind without fear, and I think that's why it hits so hard. It's a reminder that life is fragile. If it can happen to him man, it can happen to anybody. Now, whether you agree with Charlie all the time or not, you got to respect the fact that he had a voice and he used it. That kind of courage should not cost anyone their life.

Speaker 1: 1:33

And, I'll be honest, I was twisted up. Sadness, anger, confusion it makes you want to lash out. But listen, that's not the answer. Revenge hate, more violence. That's not the answer. Revenge hate, more violence. That just keeps the circle going.

Speaker 1: 1:46

So here's where I land. We gotta decide who we're gonna be. Are we gonna let anger eat us alive or are we gonna find a better way forward, built on respect, even when we disagree? If you're hurting right now, you're not alone. I'm right there with you. Lastly, guys, I'm gonna leave y'all with this, all right. What happened to Charlie Kirk? It's heavy, it's tragic, but it's also a reminder. A reminder of how fragile life is and how important it is that we don't let hate win. We can disagree, we can debate, we can even go back and forth Strong, but we can't lose humanity in the process. So tonight, hug your family, call a friend, be present, because tomorrow is a promised and, as for all of us, we're going to keep this conversation going. We're going to keep showing up together. That's all I got, guys. Thanks for listening. Take care of yourselves and each other Till next time, as always, charlie Mike.