Charlie Kirk stated that he "can't stand the word empathy," and considered empathy a "made-up, new-age term that does a lot of damage." This reflects his view that empathy, as a concept, is problematic or harmful. Despite this, in the aftermath of his murder, many recognized the value of empathy as compassion and understanding for others' pain, which contrasts with Kirk’s expressed disdain for the term.
Additionally, a speaker discussing Charlie Kirk mentioned empathy as important, defining it as the ability to put oneself in another's shoes and linking it to Christ's teaching to love others as oneself. This speaker emphasized empathy as a foundation of respect and kindness, highlighting the complexity of human experience and trauma's impact on empathy.
In summary, Charlie Kirk himself rejected empathy as a concept but his death sparked widespread calls for empathy and compassion from others. Empathy was framed as crucial for human connection and healing, even though Kirk disparaged it.
