The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com
Nathan Wadsworth of Hiram represents District 82 in the Maine House of Representatives. He owns a forest products business. This column is adapted from the weekly Republican radio address.
Last week, communities across Maine joined thousands across the nation to honor the life of Charlie Kirk. Vigils were held in Augusta, Bangor, Ellsworth, and Portland, where neighbors stood together in prayer, reflection, and unity.
These peaceful gatherings were a solemn reminder that even in times of great loss, people can come together to find strength, comfort, and hope.
Charlie’s life’s work emphasized civic engagement, open dialogue, and encouraging young people to think critically about the world around them.
His passing reminds us of what too often feels absent in public life — the ability to disagree without hate and to listen with respect even when our views differ.
The vigils here in Maine, like those held across the country, were not marked by anger or division but by peace, prayer, and community. Attendees lifted up the Kirk family, our nation, and our neighbors in prayer — rooted in the belief that love and respect must be stronger than bitterness and resentment.
We hope these events mark a turning point.
Too often, reckless rhetoric fuels division by labeling others as Nazis, racists, or worse. Such words can encourage violence.
But as Charlie Kirk showed, disagreement does not have to mean hatred. We can choose thoughtful policy debate over destructive name-calling.
We can choose dialogue over division.
Now it is up to all of us to do better.
We can lower the temperature in our politics and daily conversations.
We can show kindness in disagreement.
We can set an example for our children and grandchildren that respect is stronger than resentment.
By choosing our words wisely and treating others with dignity, we honor Charlie’s legacy and move our communities toward a healthier, more hopeful future.
We won’t always agree. But violence is never the answer.
Charlie Kirk’s message of hope, joy, honest debate, and national purpose lives on. May his life and his loss remind us to work for unity, peaceful coexistence, and love of both country and neighbor.
