The death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last September was tragic, but Americans cannot compare his work to historically celebrated activists who greatly impacted communities. Permanent tributes, like renamed streets, should only be given to honor historical activists who made a specific impact in their community.
Political activists are typically given permanent tributes through monuments such as road names, statues or even having buildings and institutions named after them. Doing this honors an activist’s ongoing legacy, whether they worked to make a difference for people in the specified area or for a greater population, state or nationwide.
The Turning Point USA founder was eulogized across the world with pro-American memorials taking place from Orem, Utah to Sydney, Australia. These timely memorials were appropriate for people to pay their respects following his assassination, but his supporters are attempting to pay tributes to him in a manner comparable to historical figures who receive permanent tributes.
A common trait of activists who received renamed roads is that they must fight for a common good either for a marginalized group or for all citizens. While Kirk advanced young conservatives’ expression of their political beliefs, he was not part of a specific movement significant to the trajectory of the nation by sparking legislative or judiciary change, nor did he explicitly advocate for any marginalized groups.
By urging municipalities to embed Kirk’s identity into communities, he is framed as a savior while ignoring other modern activists who voice the needs of marginalized groups.
Legislation renaming roads in honor of Kirk has been passed nationwide from Florida to Texas to Utah. The counties in Florida and Texas have no connection to Kirk nor his work, and although he was assassinated in Utah, the renamed road is not in the county he was shot in, leaving little significance.
Locally, the Washington County Board of Supervisors met on March 18 to discuss renaming Highway K, spanning throughout Washington County, to “Charlie Kirk Way.” The operation was originally going to be voted on by the full board of supervisors on April 21, but as of March 27, the proposal was turned down due to signage costs being higher than the initial estimated cost of $50,000.
County Executive Josh Schoemann says many residents and board supervisors found Kirk’s death very impactful and worthy of honoring. Yet, the county’s decision not to put money toward this cause implies they do not find renaming this central highway worth the price.
Kirk had no connection to the county and did not make a specific change for a community unique to the area. In the 2024 Presidential Election, President Donald Trump received 67.4% of the county’s citizens’ votes. Washington County’s history of consistently voting right implies Kirk served as a voice for some residents. Yet, his work remains irrelevant to residents who his work did not impact.
In Milwaukee, many central roads are dedicated to the founders of the city to honor their contributions to the development of Milwaukee, including familiar names such as Byron Kilbourn, Solomon Juneau and George Walker (Walker’s Point).
The honorary street program has also named nearly 50 streets to honor historical figures of the city. Several figures include Gloria Ford Gilmer, the first Black math teacher and first woman to obtain a master’s degree in mathematics at Marquette University, Donald “Don” Sykes, an anti-poverty activist for the Social Development Commission and Harry Kemp, a photojournalist who reported on Milwaukee’s Black community for many years.
These figures had a unique impact on the communities they served, as they had a great positive influence on those around them.
A renamed road would be more appropriate in a location where Kirk had a direct impact: his hometown, Utah Valley University — where he was shot — or Turning Point USA’s headquarters.
People can create their own memorials to honor Kirk’s legacy in a meaningful way to themselves, but using public property unrelated to the activist himself is an inappropriate way to honor Kirk.
Renaming roads in honor of someone must be done with their impact in mind.
This story was written by Bella Gruber. She can be reached at [email protected].
