Celebrating Death?

Or, Why I Fight for Free Speech

As much as I find today’s Republicans troubling—in the way they happily shred the Constitution, trample rights, delight in cruelty, and seek to create a Bigger Big Brother Government than the Left ever dared—I also find them fascinating. The lock- (goose?) stepness. The mind melds. The parroting.

Of course, I’m sure plenty of “Lefties” do this too—grab a talking point and run with it—but I notice when “Righties” do it because they’re often directed at me. And it’s fascinating.

The latest iteration of this has been the accusations of “celebrating” the death of Charlie Kirk.

This accusation first hit my Messenger inbox—from a good Christian woman who occasionally slides into my DMs to tell me I’m doing the devil’s work and that I’m sick and evil and other niceties.

Among them was the accusation that not only had people like me caused the death of Charlie Kirk but, as she said, “I bet you’re celebrating Charlie’s death.”

This was out of nowhere. It seemed odd. Until I saw this sentiment pop up over and over again—on my Facebook page, on other people’s social media feeds, everywhere. Accusations left and right that the Left was cheering this Right man’s death.

Now, of course, some people may be! People are rotten. We are a culture that loves violence. We crave blood. It’s part of who and what this great Christian nation has always been about.

But delighting in death is a weird thing to accuse me of. At least, for those who know me. If you do, you’ll know:

• I became definitively anti-death penalty at sixteen when I watched footage of that crowd cheering Ted Bundy’s execution. Cheering state-sanctioned murder didn’t sit right then, nor does it now.

• I felt bad when I saw Sadaam Hussein’s body swinging, when I heard Bill Clinton and Donald Trump’s partner-in-crime Jeffrey Epstein died, and when bin Laden was shot all those times. Not because the world lost good men—but because I don’t delight in death. I suppose I champion redemption and restoration this side of heaven.

• I think one of saddest stories in the Bible is when Judas dies—either by his own hand or by falling (depending on which Gospel writer you think got it right). Either account breaks my heart. Pretty sure it breaks Jesus’s too.

• I don’t like when a funeral is called a “Celebration of Life.” NO! Grieve, mourn, and wail, people! That’s what the Bible says—and that’s what I think we should do.

So anyway, just as I don’t delight in death for people I am aware of, who did despicable acts—I certainly don’t celebrate those I barely thought about, even if they said despicable things.

In fact, when I first heard the news about Kirk’s death, I had to check which MAGA person he was. I got him confused with that other guy from years ago—that gay Greek one. And a little confused with that Tate terror.

Then I remembered Kirk was recently parodied on South Park. Then I remembered the videos the young people in my life had shown me. The horrible things Kirk had said about women of color, about gay people, about women in college, about DEI programs, and Black pilots. Oh yeah, that guy.

I had no idea he was seen as any kind of champion of the gospel. Honestly, I’d never have guessed that. What I’d seen certainly didn’t strike me as Jesus-y, at least, not as I know Jesus. But in this newfangled MAGA version of Christianity, where Trumplikeness=Christlikeness , I get the comparison.

I had no idea Kirk was married or had kids. But when I found out, I felt sick, heartbroken for them—and for the rest of his family. And because I’m an empath, I really, really felt it. (Sorry, Charlie!)

And then there’s the other side of it all. The side that is personal because although I disagreed with Charlie on just about everything, we shared a zest for the outspoken, for the zinger, for challenging ideas. We shared a love of free speech—something I’ve also suddenly been accused of being against.

Which is so weird.

Because not only am I active in free speech organizations—fighting Republican anti-free-speech book bans, most notably—but in my work as an editor, this is a point of pride. This is what I do.

I think many MAGA sorts would be shocked to see the books I’ve edited, to see the “conservative” positions many of my clients hold—and the ways I’ve helped them sharpen their arguments, solidify their points, make their cases better. How I’ve helped make many conservative books great again!

Had Charlie Kirk come to me with a manuscript and been able to pay my fee and fit my busy schedule, I’d have helped him. When I’ve watched his videos, I’ve see his blind spots, the holes in his arguments. He was great with the surface bull-dozing shutdowns, but not so much with the depth or nuance. I could’ve been his editorial refiner’s fire.

And I would have.

Because no matter how much I disagree with him—and so many speaking out today—no matter how I cringe and bristle at the hateful and unAmerican things that come out of people’s mouths, dang it, I will fight for and defend your right to say it. Again, fee and time allowing, I’ll even edit it. Not to align with my views—but to make yours work better.

And indeed far from celebrating, I grieve—deeply, empathically—for anyone killed while or for practicing this amazing right we have. For now.

May Charlie Kirk rest in peace and rise in redemption.

And may we all live free—and fight the powers trying to strip it from us.