TPUSA invited 19-year-old political commentator Brilyn Hollyhand to speak to Troy students, community members

Troy’s Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter welcomed a conservative savant as a speaker at their first meeting, which gained traction throughout the community on Monday, Sept. 29.  

The organization invited 19-year-old political commentator and Auburn University freshman, Brilyn Hollyhand, to be a featured speaker. Troy University is the second stop of the 10-stop “One Conversation at a Time Tour,” where Hollyhand will speak to college campuses throughout the southeast. 

“We live in a world where we’re told to be quiet,” Hollyhand said. “We live in a world where we’re told not to express our opinions and that’s how we got to where we are now, as a country. 

“We don’t know how to express our opinions. We know how to scream at each other, and we know how to assassinate one another; but we don’t know how to talk to each other. 

“When we get back to a culture of civil discourse, that’s how we heal the country.” 

Hollyhand shared his political journey with students. In the wake of Kirk’s death, Hollyhand encourages students to be brave and to stand up for what they believe in. 

“It would be extremely easy for all of us in this room to cower,” Hollyhand said. “It would be extremely easy for us to get silenced.” 

Over 200 students and community members attended the meeting.  

“I was flabbergasted seeing so many people at our very first meeting,” said Turning Point USA at Troy President, Caitlyn Harris. “It was beyond anything I had ever experienced before in my life.” 

After his main remarks, Hollyhand took questions. Caroline Beason, a junior social work major from Asheville, Alabama, asked how to be best informed.  

“I don't know a lot about politics,” Beason said. “I want to be more informed to start talking about politics. 

“Before I talk about it, I need to know what I'm talking about. I asked Brilyn about the small steps that I could take to become informed, and he advised me to read a lot.” 

Hollyhand advised everyone to look at all sides of a story and consult unbiased news sources. 

The “One Conversation at a Time Tour” will end on Nov. 10 at Florida State University.