When Liberal MLA Chiaka Barry first heard about the death of Charlie Kirk and the political extremism surrounding it, her first thought wasn’t actually about politics but about humanity.
“Charlie Kirk’s death was terrible. I don’t care what anybody on any side thought; He was a human being. He was a dad, someone’s child, and regardless of what opinion he held, this was still a life, and a life is really precious,” Barry says.
“He had an opinion, yes, but he didn’t deserve to die for that opinion.”
Political violence and extremism
Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, several articles have examined how numerous left-wing social media users responded to the event by mocking and even celebrating the tragedy.
Comments include users stating that it was “karma” or “justice served” in response to Kirk’s death. For example, BP Daily documented posts where users labeled him a “Nazi” and said he “deserved” to be shot. The article also shows an example of a woman on TikTok explaining why they are celebrating Kirk’s death.
LifeSite News similarly shows examples of left-leaning voices mocking Kirk’s killing or suggesting he “deserved it.”
The Telegraph also reported on seemingly cheerful remarks made by Oxford Union President, George Abaraonye, regarding the shooting. This wave of online extremism sparked further discussions surrounding political violence and the dangers of extreme left ideologies.
In one notable case, an article by Yahoo news highlighted users of the social network Bluesky, flooding the platform with celebratory remarks, forcing the site to enforce its community guidelines against promoting harm.
In response to a photo of Charlie Kirk being shot, some Facebook users have also replied with memes and disturbing reactions:
Chiaka Barry’s views on political violence
In response to some of these reactions to Charlie Kirk’s assassination on social media, Barry explains that when it comes to violence against humans, you’re either for it or against it.
“It doesn’t matter who dies from violence. If violence is bad, it’s bad across [the board]. So if you’re accepting that this violence is okay, then you’re accepting that all violence is okay, essentially. You know, it’s not mutually selective or exclusive to people you like and people you subscribe to,” she says.
“Everybody is on their own side engaging in that debate [whether Charlie Kirk was good or not], but then nobody’s coming together to say, okay, well, violence is terrible. Charlie shouldn’t have died. It doesn’t matter how you slice and dice it, this is wrong.”
How social media plays a role in polarisation and political extremism
For Barry, Charlie Kirk’s assassination highlights a divide within society and culture. She explains that social media plays a large role in shaping our views and further dividing society.
“Depending on the algorithm you pick, Charlie Kirk, again, was to some people this racist person, to others, he was a pillar of hope,” she says.
“The algorithm is feeding people all of this information, and there is misinformation out there, and unfortunately that is what is breeding political violence.”
The importance of open, respectful debate
In light of Charlie Kirk’s murder, Chiaka points to how important it is to have respectful open debate, particularly on polarising issues such as faith and politics.
“Let us disagree, but let’s not leave feeling like, you know, we need to kill each other, which is what happens,” she says.
She emphasises how vital it is to exercise acceptance of other people’s opinions while not compromising your own convictions.
“It depends on how we communicate, and how we have the conversation. Acceptance is important. I don’t necessarily have to agree with your views, but I accept that that’s your view.
“I think division happens because we try to be right. It’s setting the views on the table and leaving that person to marinate in those views. Don’t compromise on our values, but also be willing and open to listen, to have that debate, and to move on from it.”
The role of faith
Like Charlie Kirk, Chiaka Barry is a person who is not ashamed of her faith.
“In every political forum … I’m a believer. Take it or leave it. There is a God. He is alive. He’s active. He’s present,” she says.
Considering Kirk’s courage as a Christian, Barry says faith should be lived out through both character, and communication.
“People need to see God in you. It’s not just saying, I’m a believer, right? It’s how are you reflecting that? What does God teach us in the Bible and how are we reflecting it in everyday life?”
“There are people in the Bible who had different styles. Charlie Kirk was more of a Daniel.”
Chiaka acknowledges that while she might not be as outspoken in the same way Charlie was, the fact that she is a Christian in politics could potentially make her a target of violence.
“I sometimes worry. You know, I have my face on my car and people know that I am a believer, whether that would make me a target. I sometimes worry about that,” she says.
Chiaka expresses that she values open debate and freedom of speech, much like Charlie Kirk.
“I would engage in debates and tell you why I feel something isn’t right, but I don’t disregard people’s opinions. I listen to them.”
Chiaka’s final thoughts on Charlie Kirk
Reflecting on Charlie Kirk’s murder, Chiaka conveys the importance of God’s purpose and people’s individual destiny.
“He had a purpose. He fulfilled the purpose. I always just pray that I fulfil my purpose before I leave this earth. And that it is clear when I leave what that purpose was,” she says.
“Whilst it’s a tragedy that this man has passed and his children would not grow up with a father, he’s fulfilled his purpose. That was what God put him on earth to do. And he’s done it.”
Original photos by Jordan Pounartzis