Reactions to Remarks About Charlie Kirk
There’s an unmistakable taboo surrounding certain subjects. It’s a given that some things simply shouldn’t be celebrated, like the, well, murder of Charlie Kirk. Personally, I wish to live in a society where such expressions aren’t acceptable, and it seems many employers feel similarly. At least, they’re aware of the general public sentiment.
Recently, those who cheered on Kirk’s death faced repercussions at work. This isn’t necessarily a violation of free speech, despite what some may argue.
Matthew Dowd, a commentator from MSNBC, was reportedly let go after Kirk hinted that his actions somehow influenced the situation. Dowd referred to Kirk as “one of the most divisive commentators,” emphasizing the need to stop harboring such damaging thoughts and expecting that negativity won’t result in negative actions.
It might be reasonable to terminate someone for inappropriate language, but murder is a completely different ballgame.
British author Helen Pluckrose pointed out a crucial point regarding the firing of individuals due to Kirk’s death. Is it really legal to dismiss someone for being associated with such tragic events?
A questioning tweet asked why we seem to be slipping into a culture of canceling those with opposing views.
Pluckrose identifies these job dismissals within the broader context of “cancel culture.” During its peak, many were fired for merely disagreeing with extreme viewpoints. Conservatives often opposed these cancellations as they believed the fired individuals were simply stating reasonable perspectives. Many aimed for calm discussions with their critics.
On the flip side, liberals often argue that while free speech is important, it doesn’t come without consequences. This notion rings true in a broader sense, but using it to justify firing individuals over civil political disagreements feels unfair.
That leads us to a more pressing question: What should be the appropriate response to specific kinds of speech? Cancellation can be seen as a form of punishment, and punishing someone for merely suggesting right-wing ideas seems unjustified. However, punishing real evil? That’s a different matter altogether.
It’s likely that someone expressing such sentiments about Kirk might face severe backlash. Being outspoken about certain beliefs, especially those rooted deeply in American history, can lead to unpopularity. However, openly celebrating Kirk’s death in public is troubling.
