U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar: Why I can’t call Charlie Kirk a hero

['Shri Thanedar', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] Detroit Metro Times 2025-09-22 15:43:18

However, empathy is not celebration, and I do not have to call Charlie Kirk a hero. Given Kirk’s history of disparaging remarks towards Black Americans, I could not vote yes on H.Res. Charlie Kirk was obsessed with affirmative action and DEI. He not only questioned the qualifications of Black Americans, but he also implied that there was no chance Black Americans could possibly be qualified for the positions they held. Regardless of how anyone feels about affirmative action or diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, those comments are deeply offensive and unacceptable.