When tensions are high, debate, don’t isolate

I was in North Carolina State University’s library in the early afternoon of Sept. 10, when the news hit social media that prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk had been assassinated during a campus event at Utah Valley University. At once, students around me dropped their engineering homework to pull up their Twitter feeds and get some grasp of what was unfolding. Whispers pierced the air accusing Kirk of inciting the very hatred which drove his assassin to seek his death. To many of my peers, a violent demise was the inevitable conclusion to being an outspoken conservative in modern America. But such vitriol cannot be met with equal enmity. Instead, American college students are carving out their own spaces to burrow in as the chaos rages on. But to effect meaningful change, we must face it head-on instead of hiding in foxholes.

American college campuses have always been battlegrounds for the issues embroiling the nation. But 2025 especially saw many prominent universities transform into ground zero for culture wars and students on both sides of the aisle are feeling less like the culture of their universities represents their values. The Trump administration’s assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies on federally funded universities ignited debate in the spring about the role of diversity policies and their impact on marginalized communities and the universities that seek to educate them. These conversations are still ongoing.

Two minority-focused publications were shuttered by the University of Alabama, fearing federal retaliation. NC State drew recent ire from the loss of recognition for the Black Student Board, a prominent black student organization. Kirk’s assassination reignited conversations about how the dynamics of discourse in college campuses shape the health of free speech. The atmosphere on State’s campus changed overnight, and the growing polarization of campus culture has left students of all viewpoints feeling discouraged. A recent study published by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression found that after Kirk’s death, half of students surveyed said they are less comfortable attending controversial campus events, and a plurality expressed reservations about discussing their views in class. Campus communities are more atomized, isolated, and combative than ever before.

How are conservative students responding to this moment? The answer isn’t always an overhaul of liberal humanities departments, like the efforts undertaken to de-wokify the University of Texas at Austin currently unfolding. Instead, meaningful efforts towards the freedom and protection of speech often come from the bottom up through community organizing. Kirk’s nonprofit, Turning Point USA, has seen a massive expansion of its footprint on college campuses nationwide, with schools seeking to open new chapters and existing chapters seeing an outpouring of support.

But less intuitive spaces grew as well. Campus religious organizations have seen higher attendance this fall. News outlets have labeled the spike in attendance to Catholic campus ministries in several universities as the “Charlie Kirk Effect.” Conversions to traditional modes of religion have been spiking across the country among young people. These pilgrims come to campus ministries not only with resentment towards the constriction and scapegoating abundant in today’s political climate, but with broader concerns about the nature of life and the problem of evil. Many in Raleigh have found new spiritual homes. The Diocese of Raleigh leads the nation in converts, according to a recent report. Contrary to the scrutiny of other aspects of public life, conversion offers young people an opportunity to speak their minds and affirm their values.

It’s beyond question that the political climate of college campuses has been transformed in this past year. But even with these solutions, more must be done. It’s easy to etch yourself into a community of like-minded people who aren’t likely to challenge you, especially when it feels like the whole world has a preconceived notion of what you believe. But problems aren’t solved by hiding in foxholes.

Reaching across the aisle to address the challenges that impact all students and their freedom of speech is how expression is preserved on college campuses. This semester, I served as a campus fellow for Braver Angels USA, an organization whose mission is to encourage civil discourse and engagement through moderated debate nights. In administrating these events I witnessed the small transformations and breakthroughs that build a more tolerant world. Students left our debates not feeling beat down but inspired and empowered to speak what’s on their hearts. If universities truly seek to shape the future thought leaders of America, they must first foster environments which allow for open exchange and development of those thoughts. Only then can we emerge from our foxholes.

“When tensions are high, debate, don’t isolate” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.