Tributum Newsletter #80

Hello

Completing the newsletter is becoming more difficult. It has to do with content – the “Should I or shouldn’t I?” question. Will it be well received or will it get me cancelled? Not that I am worth cancelling in the first place, but still. So, this month I am going to say what I was too scared to say last month – “I am Charlie” – and shame on me for not being brave enough then.

Obviously, I did not know Charlie Kirk personally. Like those of you that recognise the name I knew of him through my YouTube feed. Much of what I got to know and heard resonated with me. Faith first, family a close second.  Be judged on your actions and your character – not your skin colour or creed. Apply the same principle in judging others. Communication is vital. Be open to having your mind changed – but remain true to your principles. We can disagree and still co-exist. Hard work should be rewarded. So should making good choices.  Do not play the victim – that is the easy choice but harder life.

I think most people would agree that these principles set an acceptable standard for how to live. That most people would agree living a life on that basis can be described as respectable. To quote from the song What He Means by Just Jinjer “With a little bit of ease and a little bit of calm; Acceptance is the key to all we know; What about a stir of compassion and lenience; What about some understanding; What about some sympathy; Freedom, kindness, warm deliverance, comfort, mercy”. Surely peace, love, understanding and tolerance should be universally pursued.

Why then are there so many that throw these principles away as soon as they find out it is linked to Charlie? That no longer hear any part of the message because they do not like the messenger. What is that old saying – don’t shoot the messenger? Ironically – Charlie Kirk was. Because of the message.

To quote from my ultimate favourite song, performed as a tribute to another assassinated messenger, and now my tribute to Charlie Kirk: “One man come in the name of love; one man come and go; One man come he to justify; One man to overthrow; In the name of love; What more in the name of love…” Pride (In the name of love) by U2.

Don’t get me wrong – I do not agree with everything he said. Agree to disagree on some issues. But that does not mean that I then disagree with everything to the point of invalidating the messenger.  To the point where the murder of a father and a husband cannot be lamented. I am sure that he would not have shown the same disrespect to those that disrespected his death.

Peace, love, tolerance and understanding should still be pursued. Let’s practice these principles, especially with festive season around the corner. Let us be better, and not just until next month. Keep Breathing.