Generation Z: Charlie Kirk’s Hope for America

American Thinker ^ | September 20, 2025 | Nella Smith

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I thought I would see Charlie Kirk again.

On April 10, 2025, I went to my first political event. Having closely followed politics globally and nationally for nearly five years, I was more than a little excited to attend a Turning Point USA gathering where Charlie Kirk was set to speak. I was bouncing on my toes as my father, brother, and I approached the large crowd around the tent.

I remember debating heavily with myself whether I should go ask Charlie Kirk a question, because I never disagreed with him on anything. In the end, I decided I was content to listen to Charlie speak truth. But later, I lamented to my father that I had not asked a question that day. I also distinctly remember telling my dad that it was okay, that there would be other Turning Point events where I might meet Charlie Kirk. Maybe I would even work at Turning Point and meet him then.

Little did I know that we were exactly five months out from an assassination that would be a turning point in this nation and in the West at large.

On September 10, 2025, I was in shock. How could this man that I had seen only five months earlier, so full of life and energy, be gone? How could this voice that I had grown so familiar with Instagram videos and podcast episodes be forever silenced?

A part of me was in denial. There were two assassination attempts on President Trump and he had survived largely unscathed, so I told myself that Charlie certainly would as well.

His death didn’t feel real.

Being born in a post-9/11 world, I had never been through an event that was such a direct attack on this country. I had never been through an event where the exact...

[Carry_Okie]

As built upon a sympathy for bogus inter-generational grievances.

Blame boomers for everything, this despite the fact that Kirk got his start from the education and support of boomers Rush Limbaugh and Bill Montgomery (respectively).

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

There is a great video of Charlie at another university Prove Me Wrong event where the first young skull full of mush asks Charlie if it is “fair” for him to talk and challenge students who are much younger. Charlie’s response was epic. Besides the desire to simply talk to one another, Charlie stated to the group “you all are America’s future. That’s one of the reasons I am here.”

[Responsibility2nd]

I remember debating heavily with myself whether I should go ask Charlie Kirk a question, because I never disagreed with him on anything. In the end, I decided I was content to listen to Charlie speak truth. But later, I lamented to my father that I had not asked a question that day.

I wonder what was the question she wanted to ask.

[21twelve]

At one of the big events they hold for their supporters they had a “prove me wrong” session. It was just goofy stuff as they were there to support Charlie and probably agreed with most that he said.

One of the questions was “Pancakes or Waffles?”

Charlie said pancakes. And his argument was weak I thought. ;)

[TalBlack]

My son, born 2010, is gen Z and there are indications the indoctrination we’ve come to expect from teachers is beginning to bounce back. Back when he was 11 or 12 three of his friends were over. As they talked between themselves playing ball I kept hearing them all saying very accusatorily “That’s racist” in response to any and all mundane remarks. The suns coming out “That’s racist”. Get the ball“That’s racist” You’re up “That’s racist”. I asked my kid about it and he said it was in response to a teacher listing all the things that are “racist”. This went on for a few weeks. I think the teacher was getting outside the syllabus and winging it as I’ve been keeping an eye on things since he started in the district and they seem to be keeping it real. They even told the school mascot bullies to go pound sand. There are quite a few other examples of this age group rejecting the leftist line. I don’t know what it is but they don’t seem to be buying the BS.