Kirk championed free speech, but his death is being used to censor it Al Cross

AI-assisted summary

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has intensified political division in the United States.

American public discourse is increasingly driven by opinion and inflammatory rhetoric, especially on social media.

Following Kirk's death, some political figures are using the event to demonize opponents and threaten to suppress speech.

Citizens have a responsibility to de-escalate rhetoric and improve political conversation, perhaps starting in their local communities.

I got a surprise phone call last week from the other side of the world, where an American expatriate was worried about the future of his country in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination. We agreed that the dis-United States of America needs calming voices who can command attention —