Oklahoma Republicans Propose Mandating Charlie Kirk statues at State Colleges
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Oklahoma Republicans have introduced legislation that would require all state colleges adn universities to erect a statue honoring the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sparking immediate controversy and debate over his legacy. The proposal, filed this week, mandates the statues be prominently displayed on campus and funded through a combination of private donations and state appropriations.
The bill’s proponents cite Kirk’s dedication to conservative principles and his outreach to young people as reasons for the honor. However, critics point to Kirk’s history of divisive rhetoric, including instances of alleged racism, sexism, and xenophobia, as well as his controversial interpretations of religious texts, questioning the appropriateness of celebrating him on public university grounds.
state Representative Jett, a vocal supporter of the legislation, recently praised Kirk as “a faithful servant of Christ.” Last year, Jett drew criticism for invoking the Old Testament proverb, “Whoever spares the rod hates their child,” during a debate regarding a bipartisan bill aimed at restricting corporal punishment for students with disabilities.
The move comes amidst a wave of tributes to Kirk following his recent death, including a statement from New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan who called Kirk “a modern-day Saint Paul” during a Fox News appearance.This assessment was swiftly challenged by John Grosso of the National Catholic Reporter, who argued that any consideration of Kirk’s legacy must acknowledge “the pain and suffering that Kirk inflicted on innumerable people through his harsh, divisive and combative rhetoric,” and specifically cited concerns about Kirk’s “racism, sexism and xenophobia.”
Adding another layer of complexity, Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a representative of Vladimir Putin, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he had ”very positive discussions with the Russian Orthodox Church on recognizing Charlie Kirk’s spiritual contributions to Christianity.” Dmitriev subsequently shared a tribute from an Orthodox bishop, who lauded kirk’s work on American college campuses, comparing it to “preaching somewhere among a tribe of cannibals.”
The proposed legislation is expected to face important opposition from Democratic lawmakers, student groups, and faculty members.The debate highlights the ongoing cultural and political divisions within Oklahoma and the broader national conversation surrounding the commemoration of controversial figures.
