Most education observers agree that most of the vitriol is coming from the academic community. Education writer Laurie Higgins of Breakthrough Ideas says she is shocked by the gloating shown by Kirk haters.
“I actually was surprised at the number. When you look at it on social media, how extreme they are I mean. They look like crazy people, prancing around and saying, just horrific things."
In America, public speech is free but can come with consequences attached by employers who may have differing opinions.
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) have announced that more than 100 educators are under investigation and could face suspension of their teaching certifications for social media posts related to the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, Newsmax reported.
The TEA said it is reviewing at least 180 complaints alleging that teachers posted comments online that celebrated Kirk's death or called for violence. If investigators determine those posts violate the state's educator code of ethics, the teachers could lose their certification and be barred from working in public schools, Newsmax reported.
Higgins says educators have gotten away with such rhetoric for way too long.
"They have not expected that there would be any consequences. If you're an educator, any educator who thinks that the assassination is something that can publicly affirmed and celebrated … must not be teaching.”
It's likely the number of firings and resignations could increase as complaints continue to pour in and investigations continue.
Lawyers, doctors and first responders also have been fired, suspended, censured or are under investigation for their comments, as well as employees of private businesses, journalists and government employees, according to analysis by USA Today.
