I’ll be honest. I had never heard of Charlie Kirk before yesterday. That makes me mostly uninformed. I knew not one thing about him.

I have taken the last several hours to read his thoughts and beliefs on a variety of subjects. They are, at best, dehumanizing. Kirk used those who disagree with his points of view as a springboard for those who worshipped him, creating converts to his often misogynistic, antisemitic, anti-LGBTQ beliefs. He will become a symbol and a martyr for those who believed his vitriol.

With that said, Kirk did not deserve to die for his beliefs — his beliefs — just like I don’t deserve to die for mine. Just like six million Jews didn’t deserve to die for theirs. Just like nearly 3,000 people didn’t deserve to die 24 years ago on this day, Sept. 11.

John Wise
Portland