Austin Peay Professor Fired After Social Media Post Following Charlie Kirk's Death
Austin Peay State University (APSU) has terminated Theatre Professor Darren Michael due to a social media post he reshared following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The university deemed the post "insensitive, disrespectful and interpreted by many as propagating justification for unlawful death."
University Statement
APSU President Mike Licari stated, "A faculty member of Austin Peay State University reshared a post on social media that was insensitive, disrespectful and interpreted by many as propagating justification for unlawful death. Such actions do not align with Austin Peay’s commitment to mutual respect and human dignity. The university deems these actions unacceptable and has terminated the faculty member." Michael had been a professor at APSU since 2007.
Reactions to Charlie Kirk's Death
The assassination of Charlie Kirk has sparked a wave of disciplinary actions across various institutions, reflecting a highly charged atmosphere. Organizations ranging from airlines to schools have taken swift action against employees accused of celebrating or mocking his death. Kirk, a prominent conservative figure, was fatally shot on Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 22, is in custody as a suspect in the murder.
Calls for Punishment and Disciplinary Actions
Following Kirk's assassination, some on the right have called for severe punishment of those condoning his death. Steve Bannon, former advisor to President Donald Trump, advocated for mass arrests and a crackdown on universities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed staff to identify and discipline service members who mocked or condoned the killing, according to NBC News.
Industry Responses
Terminations and disciplinary measures have occurred across several sectors:
- Airlines: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called for the firing of American Airlines pilots accused of celebrating Kirk's death, leading to their immediate grounding. Delta Air Lines also suspended employees pending an investigation into social media posts deemed beyond "healthy, respectful debate."
- Schools and Universities: West Ada School District in Idaho fired an employee for an allegedly offensive video. An Oregon middle school teacher resigned after posting on Facebook that Kirk's death "brightened up" his day. Clemson University suspended an employee pending investigation of social media posts, prompting a response from Sen. Lindsey Graham.
- Health Care: The University of Miami’s health system fired an employee for "unacceptable public commentary." Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta also terminated an employee for making "inappropriate comments" about Kirk’s death.
- Retail: An Office Depot employee in Portage, Michigan, was fired for allegedly refusing to print flyers about Charlie Kirk.
The Significance of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, 31, was the co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization. He gained prominence by amplifying the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen and by criticizing "woke" culture. His views on race, feminism, LGBTQ rights, and immigration often drew criticism and sparked protests.
