Fear ran through me as I climbed the stairs of the student center for a campus debate. I called my father and grandfather to attend, not for encouragement, but for safety. That’s the reality of being a conservative on many college campuses today. People didn’t just disagree with me — they hated me. They hated what I believed, hated who I was, and some openly wished harm upon me and others like me. 

I entered politics in college because I cared deeply about my country, my faith, and my values. But from the start, it was clear that these beliefs put a target on my back. I was warned for “politicizing” when I pointed out the obvious: universities are overwhelmingly biased toward the left. That bias doesn’t just tilt discussions — it fuels hostility. It empowers students and faculty alike to treat conservatives as enemies to be silenced.

The recent death of Charlie Kirk, who personally supported me during my political journey, only sharpens this truth. His loss is a tragedy, but it also reveals the dangers conservatives face for daring to speak their minds. Am I justified now in the fear I felt? Is it finally clear that this climate of hostility has consequences beyond words?

On campus, I never wanted to harm anyone. I never wanted to make anyone feel lesser. All I wanted was the freedom to share my perspective — to say I love this country, I love God, and I believe in traditional values — without fearing that someone with a rifle on a rooftop might endmy life for saying so.

The left often claims conservatives are the ones who threaten others, who wish violence on groups they disagree with. But look closely: it is conservatives who are increasingly silenced, attacked, and even killed. I reject violence of any kind. It should never be the answer.

Charlie Kirk’s memory should remind us of what’s at stake. As conservatives, his death will not drive us into silence. It will make us stronger. We will not back down. We will not be erased. Universities — and this country — must remember that free speech is not a partisan privilege. It is a human right.

God rest Charlie Kirk’s soul, bless his family, and protect them. And may his loss serve as a wake-up call: freedom of thought and speech must be defended — before it’s too late.