Martyrdom has always carried a deep weight in history. A true martyr does not choose their role; it is thrust upon them. They are targeted, silenced, or even killed because of what they represent — and in that sacrifice, they become larger than themselves.
The recent outpouring of grief for Charlie Kirk showed the unmistakable power of true martyrdom. “He was killed because his words made a difference, because he was showing people the light, and he was killed by the dark,” said Elon Musk. His assassination sent shockwaves through political movements worldwide. Millions filled the streets, crowds so massive that aerial shots looked like seas of humanity flowing through London. The grief was authentic, the loss undeniable, the story unshakable. A true martyr doesn’t need to build their own narrative — it is written by the people left behind.
Contrast that with what we are seeing in our profession today. Instead of authentic sacrifice, we see individuals attempting to manufacture martyrdom — positioning themselves as victims of “attacks” whenever they are questioned, hiding profit-seeking ventures behind the language of service, and framing criticism as harassment.
** Some readers reacted strongly to my mention of Charlie Kirk. To be clear: I don’t have personal views about him — I didn’t even know who he was until the news of his assassination. The point isn’t about Charlie himself. The point is about the difference between true martyrdom — where someone gives everything for a cause — and the performance of martyrdom, where people claim persecution to elevate themselves.
In case you don’t like that reference, here’s a list of historical and modern figures widely regarded as true martyrs (religious, political, and social justice), any of whom could be substituted to make the point: Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Joan of Arc, Socrates, Oscar Romero, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Malcolm X, Abraham Lincoln.
The example is interchangeable; the message is the same: true martyrdom cannot be faked.
Religious & Classical Martyrs
- Jesus of Nazareth – executed for his teachings, seen as the central Christian martyr.
- Joan of Arc – burned at the stake for her visions and role in the French resistance to English rule.
- Socrates – executed in Athens for challenging authority and corrupting the youth with philosophical inquiry.
Political & Social Martyrs
- Mahatma Gandhi – assassinated for his nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule.
- Martin Luther King Jr. – assassinated for leading the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.
- Malcolm X – assassinated for his activism and evolving positions on race and justice.
- Abraham Lincoln – assassinated after leading the U.S. through the Civil War and ending slavery.
Human Rights & Resistance Martyrs
- Oscar Romero – Archbishop of El Salvador, assassinated while saying Mass for condemning government violence.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer – executed by the Nazis for resisting Hitler’s regime.
- Berta Cáceres – Honduran environmental activist assassinated for defending Indigenous land rights.
The takeaway: We don’t need Charlie Kirk’s name to make the point. If you don’t like the CK reference, then you could drop in MLK, Joan of Arc, Gandhi, or Socrates and the analogy would still stand — because the real contrast is between those who give their lives for a cause, versus those who play the victim for personal gain.
Manufactured Martyrdom
An outsider to the profession, for example, has cultivated an image of being persecuted, misunderstood, or unfairly targeted. But let’s be clear: she is not a reporter. She is not laying down her career or sacrificing her livelihood for the profession. Instead, her platform is built on monetizing the goodwill of working reporters. Sponsorships, donations, “giveaways,” and events are branded as if they were non-profit, but the benefit flows to her business.
When legitimate questions are raised about financial transparency, organizational filings, or the use of volunteer labor, the response is not accountability — it’s performance. It’s reframing oversight as an “attack.” It’s cultivating sympathy by casting herself as the lone underdog standing against bullies. In other words: a false martyrdom narrative.
Why It Matters
The danger here isn’t just optics. Manufactured martyrdom draws energy, money, and attention away from real problems and real solutions. Instead of accountability, we get personality politics. Instead of supporting students, associations, and schools directly, we see resources funneled into vanity projects.
And worse — reporters who raise concerns are labeled as “harassers” or “liars.” Legitimate whistleblowing becomes distorted as cruelty. The focus shifts from what’s true to who’s loudest. That’s not just unhelpful — it’s corrosive to the profession.
The Real Martyrs in Reporting
Our real martyrs don’t hold raffles or sell sponsorship packages. They don’t manufacture victimhood. They are the working reporters who sit in courtrooms every day under crushing shortages, delivering transcripts at 2:00 a.m. They are the students writing through tears, clawing their way toward licensure while balancing jobs and debt. They are the small schools keeping their doors open against impossible odds, only to see their students lured away.
These are the people sacrificing. These are the people shouldering the burden of our profession’s survival.
Learning the Difference
When Charlie Kirk was assassinated, the world knew it immediately because the people themselves proclaimed it. No PR campaign was needed. No reframing of criticism was required. The grief was real, and the story told itself.
When someone has to constantly remind you they are a victim, when they have to brand themselves as a martyr to hold onto power or credibility, it’s a sign that the opposite is true. False martyrs demand recognition; true martyrs are recognized without asking.
A Call to Our Profession
Court reporters must learn to hear the difference. We cannot afford to be distracted by personality cults or manipulated into propping up false narratives. Our associations must hold speakers and leaders accountable. Our schools must protect their students. And our reporters must stand with each other — not against each other — when the record is at stake.
True martyrdom is tragic. False martyrdom is corrosive. Let’s not confuse the two.
StenoImperium
Court Reporting. Unfiltered. Unafraid.
Disclaimer
“This article includes analysis and commentary based on observed events, public records, and legal statutes.”
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