Charlie Kirk and confirmation bias

When Believing is Seeing, We Make Bad Choices

Since Charlie Kirk was killed by a 22-year-old kid in Utah on September 10, the internet has been at each other’s throats. “How could you speak ill of the dead” people have been speaking ill of “But have you heard the things he said?” people.

It’s been a mess.

Before I get any further, I need to be clear: I am in the second group. I will never celebrate the murder (extrajudicial or judicial) of anybody. Ever. At the same time, Kirk’s words were hateful and inflammatory.

And I also have dear, dear friends in my inbox telling me that even quoting those words is somehow speaking badly of a man who can no longer defend himself.

There’s one specific conversation I haven’t stopped thinking about. It was with someone I’ve known for nearly two decades. Here are screenshots of the start of the conversation, with identifying information censored. (A transcript of the conversation follows the screenshots)

Transcript (with minor spelling and grammar corrections) below

Friend: Charlie Kirk was a legend and can’t be silenced. His love for Jesus and his legacy will live on ❤️💔

Me: Charlie Kirk thought it was okay that people should die to protect the second amendment. Charlie Kirk thought Black women weren’t smart but instead took…