The entire nation was recently stunned by the sudden passing of Charles James Kirk, better known as Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist whose speeches and bold opinions made him a prominent figure among young audiences. Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University, an event that has since sparked conversations about political division, campus safety, and the impact of his legacy. For many, his death raises difficult questions about how we handle disagreements in a time when words hold so much power.
Jason Jenkins, Ridgeview’s PACK Advocacy Center coordinator and Assistant Dean, was made well aware of Kirk’s passing, stating, “My wife texted me…when she became aware of it. Her students had alerted her shortly after it had happened.” On September 10th at 12:23 p.m., a single shot was seen to have been fired directly at Kirk during an ongoing debate. Footage of the shooting had quickly begun to circulate on the media and news outlets. When asked what his initial thoughts and reaction were, Jenkins expressed, “Shock and surprise.” He goes on to elaborate, “…Shocked and surprised that this is 2025 and we’re killing people for having opinions.”
A Ridgeview senior, Jackson Bensusen, initially had a different thought process when discovering the news: “So I initially thought, let’s go. He deserved to be shot.” Bensusen quickly addresses the statement, “…But then I saw the video, and I realized how horrendous this act was.” Kirk had been known for rallying young audiences with his outspoken views and campus presence. Bensusen adds, “It’s important for us to understand and talk about events like this, so we can fully grasp the idea of why he was shot, so that we can prevent it from happening to other people and just make sure that everyone has a, I don’t know, a grasp of it.”
Like most political controversies, opinions on the topic have been very divided within the nation, especially through social media. Jadynn Brito, a senior at Ridgeview, communicates, “Honestly, I think I expected a lot of more people to be like… celebrating what had happened. And there was people who did that, but to see so many people come to the agreement, like this is wrong, was very shocking for me because of how many people disliked him.” The United States has shown various ways of showing its remembrance of Kirk’s character and ideologies. A large memorial service was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with tens of thousands in attendance, along with speeches by high-profile conservative figures. Even here in Bakersfield, California, many gathered at the Park at River Walk on the 16th of September, for a vigil and prayer service in remembrance of Charlie Kirk.
Charlie Kirk’s death has intensified debate over his legacy, with supporters praising his influence on young conservatives and critics faulting his divisive rhetoric. His passing highlights the nation’s struggle with political violence and the urgent need to address differences in public discourse.
