the fearsome bravery of charlie kirk

On Wednesday, 31-year-old conservative America political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on a college campus during a public debate about gun violence. He was a firebrand of a generation who found fame and fortune in orchestrating incendiary conversations with students around hot button issues.

Many people have compared me to Charlie because I go out in public and have impactful conversations with strangers. And, although our views on politics seemed opposite, no one should be killed for engaging in debate.

Debate is how we temper our opinions.
How we learn.
How we open our minds.

Killing is senseless, closed-minded, and vile.

Yesterday, I ran a debate exercise with a group of kids in one of the treatment centers I work with. It ended with crying, sharing, and connecting on a level that two kids (who struggled to share their emotions before) beyond what any previous counselor or coach or therapist had achieved.

There is power in using your words, in sticking in challenging situations, and opening your mind.

Debate is how we make meaningful change.
Violence is how we erode it.