Joshua Wilson, an Oklahoma State University student government senator, says being reprimanded for his Charlie Kirk speech has strengthened his resolve to share political views. The incident, which has drawn attention to issues of free expression on campuses, occurred shortly after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Wilson, a junior, served as university chair of the Student Government Association (SGA) and delivered the speech at an SGA meeting on September 10, just hours after Kirk’s passing in Utah. The speech, intended to honor Kirk’s legacy, also promoted peace on campus and called for continued dialogue, while condemning political violence. Wilson’s speech included a reference to Kirk’s advocacy for free speech, which he believes is essential for fostering constructive discourse on college campuses.
Wilson, who also holds leadership roles in the College Republicans and the Debate Club, was wearing a Turning Point USA hat that he had received during an April visit to campus. The hat displayed the number 47, referencing former President Donald Trump. During a subsequent meeting with his faculty adviser, Melisa Echols, Wilson was reportedly reprimanded for the hat, with Echols stating that its political associations could trigger discomfort among some students. According to audio reports from the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), Echols told Wilson, ‘As a person who doesn’t look like you and has not had the same lived experience as you, I have family who don’t look like you who are triggered — and I will be very candid with you — who are triggered by those hats and by that side.’ Wilson, however, maintains that the speech and the hat were not partisan, and that he only intended to honor Kirk’s legacy. He claims that Echols’ reaction was more threatening than constructive, and that her warning implied that the situation could hinder his academic experience.
Wilson believes the university’s response to the incident is insufficient, stating that the reprimand was a veiled threat to silence his political expression. He asserts that the university’s commitment to free speech is unclear and that more explicit protections are needed for students to express their views without fear. The situation has drawn support from online communities and state legislators, which Wilson attributes to an increasing willingness among conservative students to engage in political conversations. He remains resolute in his stance, drawing inspiration from Ronald Reagan’s warning that freedom is one generation away from extinction. Wilson has called on the university to take stronger action to prevent such incidents and ensure that students’ voices are not suppressed. He has also expressed confidence that the controversy will continue to gain traction, encouraging his peers to remain proactive in advocating for their rights.