Honoring a Voice Through Civil Discourse
Most of my work and writing revolves around software and engineering. But every so often, life reminds us that there are conversations beyond code. The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk was one of those moments for me.
I didn’t know him personally, but like many, I had seen his videos, his debates, and the way he engaged with people who strongly disagreed with him. His death hit harder than I expected—it felt personal, even though we never met.
The Sanctity of Life
Regardless of politics or ideology, I believe life is sacred. Only a higher power, not another person, should ever decide when life begins or ends. The loss of one person ripples through families, friends, colleagues, and communities. To react with indifference—or worse, celebration—to someone’s death is something I cannot comprehend.
A Civil Approach to Disagreement
What struck me most about Charlie’s work was not whether I agreed with him, but how he engaged. His “Prove Me Wrong” debates created space for people to challenge him, often heatedly, yet he remained civil and respectful. That quality stood out.
In a conversation with Governor Gavin Newsom, I saw two people from opposite sides of the political spectrum having a thoughtful, respectful exchange. That, to me, is the essence of democracy and free speech—disagreement without dehumanization.
Where I Agreed—and Disagreed
On some issues, such as freedom of speech, democracy, and entrepreneurship, I found common ground with Charlie. On others—like guns or marriage rights—I disagreed. But disagreement does not diminish respect. In fact, it strengthens dialogue.
I see parallels in engineering: the best code comes not from unanimous approval but from respectful code reviews and disagreements. That’s where growth happens.
A Legacy of Dialogue
No one is perfect. We all hold opinions that others disagree with. But what matters is creating spaces for those disagreements to be expressed without fear. That’s what Charlie stood for, and why his loss feels so tragic.
Violence silences, but conversations build. If there’s one way to honor his memory, it is to engage more—talk to your neighbor, debate respectfully, listen openly, and keep learning.
Because in the end, progress happens not when we avoid disagreements, but when we lean into them with civility.
