Addressing the ramifications of endorsing violence and ideological coercion in the public domain is not a case of “cancel culture.” This is especially critical when those involved are responsible for educating our youth.
The left appears to be grappling with this lesson following the assassination of conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder, Charlie Kirk, last month. Fortunately, a proactive group, the 1776 PAC, is stepping up to hold individuals accountable.
In a recent interview with Fox News, the PAC’s executive director revealed that they are compiling instances of educators publicly celebrating Kirk’s death, which occurred at Utah Valley University on September 10. So far, they claim to have documented “over a hundred” such reports.
This announcement follows a wave of progressive outrage after Kirk’s death, which sparked various conservative commentators and anonymous internet users to gather online sentiments that either praised or downplayed the killing of the Turning Point founder.
One highlighted website, dubbed “Charlie’s Murderers,” meticulously compiled expressions from journalists, health professionals, and, shockingly, educators who made grotesque comments about Kirk’s demise.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the ire was directed at those cataloging these statements rather than the individuals who made them. A piece in Wired labeled these documentors as “far-right influencers and violent extremists,” showcasing the absurdity of misdirected outrage.
Nevertheless, organizations like the 1776 PAC, founded in 2021 by conservative activist Ryan James Girdusky, continue to reveal the disturbing depths of this ideological decay and the potential risk it poses to our children.
“We see this as a form of accountability,” stated Stefano Forte, Executive Director of the 1776 Project PAC. “Our mission is to ensure that our children are not influenced by radical ideologies in the classroom.”
Forte further noted, “We’ve received numerous submissions and are reviewing them as they come in.” Unlike websites targeting individuals with criticism, he emphasized the PAC’s unique expertise within this realm. “We’re one of the few federal PACs in the country focused on this issue,” he explained.
“Our focus has primarily been on school board races because traditional Republican establishments have overlooked this pivotal area,” Forte continued. The PAC is now scrutinizing how individuals associated with these educational boards have either condoned or celebrated the assassination of a conservative figure.
“This accountability initiative provides parents with essential insights about the educators shaping their children’s perspectives,” Forte elaborated.
“We’re not trying to suppress anyone’s free speech,” he assured. “We want to amplify it, giving them a platform to express their true beliefs.” Ultimately, he stated, “When individuals openly celebrate Kirk’s death, we respond by providing them with a larger megaphone to share their thoughts.”
It’s imperative to clarify that this is not about stifling legitimate viewpoints that contribute to constructive discourse. Rather, it concerns expressions that endorse violence, particularly emanating from individuals tasked with guiding the next generation.
This endeavor is not a misguided witch-hunt. Reports indicate that a Canadian teacher showcased the assassination to students as young as ten, suggesting the victim deserved it. In Rhode Island, students rallied for a teacher’s dismissal after he publicly denigrated Kirk, labeling him a “piece of garbage.”
In Indiana, a school administrator advised educators facing backlash to safeguard their privacy and well-being, warning against attracting undue “scrutiny.”
This is not an example of “cancellation;” it is a reaction to the celebration of murder, which is far from acceptable in any civil society. The phenomenon of consequence culture has emerged—not an imaginary issue concocted by detractors—but a valid concern backed by substantial evidence, suggesting we may be only scratching the surface.
In summary, this is consequence culture, not cancel culture. Americans are unlikely to overlook or forget the endorsement of such grievous actions by those entrusted with the care and education of their children.
This article originally appeared on The Western Journal.
