Matthew Wilson
Erika Kirk took the stage at her late husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial. And her words were nothing short of chilling.
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Erika opted to take the higher road of forgiveness versus revenge. In the speech, Erika says that she has forgiven her husband’s alleged killer, Tyler Robinson. She said that it is her mission to help reach young men at a crossroads.
“Charlie passionately wanted to reach and save the lost boys of the West. The young men who feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith, and no reason to live. The men wasting their lives on distractions and the men consume with resentment, anger and hate,” she said. “Charlie wanted to help them. He wanted them to have a home with Turning Point USA. And when he went on to campus, he was looking to show them a better path and a better life. That was right there for the taking. He wanted to show them that.
Erika Kirk Forgives
Erika speaks out: “My husband, Charlie. He wanted to save. Young men, just like the one who took his life. That young man. That young man on the cross. Our Savior said that. Father. Forgive them, for they not know what they do,” she continued. “You, that man. That young man. I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Reaction: Her speech capture the public consciousness. One of those people listening was swimmer Riley Gaines, who commented on the speech.
“Erika Kirk’s remarks…I have no words,” she wrote on X. “This is exactly what America needed to hear. Filled with love, strength, compassion, honesty, and forgiveness. This is the most powerful speech I’ve ever heard.”
“Only God can give a grieving widow the heart, serenity, and strength to forgive her husband’s assassin only 11 days after he shot him,” she also added. “Only God.”
