Ongoing cycle of retaliation

Charlie Kirk's passing, regrettably underdiscussed, is an irrational tragedy

, and ASMedia

2025 September 25 . 7:12 PM

2 min read

Ongoing cycle of retaliation

In a shocking turn of events, the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has sparked a new cycle of revenge, plunging the nation into a tumultuous period of unrest. The 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson from Utah, confessed to fatally shooting Kirk during a speech at Utah Valley University.

Robinson, who hails from a Republican and Mormon family, has reportedly shifted his political views towards the left recently, supporting LGBTQ rights due to his partner's gender transition. The shooting was described as a "political assassination," with internet and social media playing a central role in the incident.

The death of Kirk has not only left a void in the political landscape but has also reignited the war of words in Quebec, giving each side the opportunity to express contempt for "the enemy" and pronounce new anathemas. Public space has become a stage for acts of revenge to become live spectacles, as the cycle of anger continues to fuel the current culture war.

Some argue that the killer had ties to the extreme right, while others claim he was interested in antifascist ideas and supported oppressed minorities. However, the motivations of Robinson's actions remain a subject of ongoing debate.

Martin Luther King's words about nonviolence resonate powerfully in this context: "Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who practices it. It is a sword that heals." The cycle of revenge must be stopped urgently, and nonviolence, including silences, must be practiced in words and actions.

The path to legitimate recognition has become difficult for radicalized young men, leading them to take action. Each side in the ongoing debate views the other as "irrecoverable" and "unfrequentable." The hunt for new victims seems to be open, with the firing of Jimmy Kimmel being seen as a sign of this disturbing trend.

Murder in the United States provides notoriety to the perpetrator, even if negative. The final scene of Requiem for a Massacre (1985) poignantly portrays this, featuring a child soldier who cannot shoot a portrait of Hitler after seeing footage of Nazi crimes.

In the words of Camus, "It is easier to die from one's contradictions than to live them." It is time to break this tragic cycle of revenge and strive for a more peaceful, understanding society. Let us remember Charlie Kirk and honour his memory by practicing nonviolence in our words and actions.