Kirk, Campus Speech, and Gen Z's Political Formation

What Does Charlie Kirk’s Murder Reveal About Extremism and Division?

Host Curtis Chang sits down with Good Faith “founding friend” and New York Times writer David French to reflect on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about the rise of political violence in America. Together, they explore how formative experiences have shaped Baby Boomers and Gen Z differently, the role of influencers versus institutions, and the dangers of extremism across the political spectrum. With compassion for the personal tragedy at the center of this event, they also highlight the church’s role on the path toward healing and rebuilding trust in a deeply divided nation.

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Mentioned in this episode:

• Poll Results: Is Political Violence Ever Justified?
• Why Do So Many Young Americans Justify Political Violence? (internal WSJ generational poll %s)
• How recent political violence in the U.S. fits into ‘a long, dark history’ (Politifact/PBS)
• Political violence in polarized U.S. at its worst since 1970s (Reuters, 2023)
• Spencer Cox’s calls for civility spark introspection, and some GOP backlash
• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox decries ‘cancer’ of social media and its ‘direct role’ in every assassination over past 5 years 
• Pope Leo criticizes surge of nationalist political movements in the world (video)

David French on Charlie Kirk’s Murder and Political Violence:

• David French: There Are Monsters in Your Midst, Too
• David French: If We Keep This Up, Charlie Kirk Will Not Be the Last to Die
• Roundtable discussion, including David French: The ‘Fork in the Road’ After Charlie Kirk’s Death
• David French’s Divided We Fall

More From David French:

• David French’s New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Redeeming Babel.