To my dear sons
Today, I want to share with you some thoughts I have about a recent horrific tragedy — the murder of a man named Charlie Kirk.
This happened when Mr Kirk was holding an open-tent discussion forum in front of his family and thousands of students in the Utah Valley University ten days ago in the United States. A simple Google search will give you tons of information so I’m not going to spend precious word count here to relive this sad event.
I’m also not saying that such an event is out of the norm, given America’s unfortunate track record with political uprisings and gun violence in the modern era. This is yet another death in a long chain of unnecessary deaths. Preventable deaths.
However, there are a few factors that make this particular tragedy a lot more unbearable.
Why This Was A Tragedy
Firstly, Charlie Kirk was only 31 years old. An adult for sure, but still only just, if you think about the average life span and seasons of human development.
Secondly, both his wife and his two very young kids (the oldest was just six years of age) witnessed the tragedy (he was shot in the neck and died almost immediately). They are going to live with this memory, in one form or other, for the rest of their lives.
Thirdly, Mr Kirk was not a politician but he held spaces for conversations and open discussions over various social and political issues. Something he’s well known for doing. Especially on many a college campus across America (and even abroad, though not on our shores; the closest he came was his recent trip to Japan and South Korea).
As polarising and divisive as many of the issues he raise can be, Mr Kirk has always expressed in clear terms that he wishes only to hear others’ opinions and have others hear his. Whether that is true or not isn’t relevant. But given how globally renown America is for her citizens’ right to freedom of speech (even young students here like you often quote the ‘freedom of speech’ mantra to justify what you say), this murder truly confounds millions.
Is speaking freely now a death sentence in the land of Lady Liberty?
What Am I Getting At?
Okay, at this point you’re probably wondering where your old man is going with this? Why talk about someone we barely know or care about? Someone who existed on the opposite side of the globe from us. Whose politics and practices are so different from our own. Who died in a manner that’s, tragically, how many have died over there. Thanks to their country’s repeated insistence (standing by the Second Amendment in their nation’s Constitution) that all have the right to bear arms. Meaning all have the freedom to own a gun.
Good question. Here’s why.
Charlie Kirk lived his life with ferocity, fire and fervour. Rightfully or not, he was unafraid to step into any arena, to debate and discuss what matters to him.
Even if it risks being proven wrong.
Even if it means offending people. Especially people in high positions or with extensive clout to shift the tides of public opinion. Even if it means offending the majority.
My question is, where in our country can we find someone of a similar calibre?
I recall watching marches by young people for causes in countries not very far from us. Countries like Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan. I often wonder, in contrast, what do the young in our nation do to fire up their bellies? Or the old (like me) for that matter!
Have we been threatened or frightened into silence because the powers that be dislike insurrection? Which is what every potential disagreement and debate seems to look to jittery leaders here. Going by the political track record of our nation’s ministers and prime ministers since independence.
I used to watch in shock at snippets of parliamentary hearings in countries like Taiwan and the UK. Where at times the arguments can descend into fisticuffs! Not saying I approve of physical violence, but I do find myself looking back at our own country’s public discourse and to wonder — where’s the fire and brimstone? Where’s the go with the gut and speak from the heart?
Are we destined to forever cower in silence? For fear of retribution? For fear of what’s actually happening now in America? What’s happened to Charlie Kirk, and his now widowed wife and fatherless children?
Be Brave My Sons!
Sons, here’s the thing.
Your dad isn’t asking you to be a martyr (though some day, as an adult, if you’re called to be one, I hope you will bravely take that on — for a worthy cause of course!). No parent wants that. Or at least, this parent doesn’t!
But I also don’t want either of you to go through life playing ‘safe’.
I would like you both to stand up for what you believe in. To “go to the mattresses” if you must (look up the classic “Godfather” film for the reference).
For something in us dies a little each time we play it safe. Each time we back down. Each time we bow our heads and submit to whatever fear that has us in a neck brace.
Speak up and be brave my sons! Don’t let this world hold your tongue hostage. Or suppress your alternative views and opinions (unless they are too ridiculous for even your old man here to back you up!).
Tragic incidents like Kirk’s shouldn’t silence us. In fact, it should embolden us to stand firm, speak up, and be the bravest version of ourselves.
Because, one day, my sons, someone will (not could) challenge you for what you believe in.
What will you do then? Will you be brave and speak up?
I hope you will.
Because this world needs you to!
Your ever loving
Daddy-do-first (I mean doofus)
