After Emanuel A.M.E.

June 22, 2015

Dear Christ Church Community:

The Sunday after the Charleston massacre found me searching for words to express what I and many might be feeling and thinking around this nation after the shocking events.  

Last week’s murders in Charleston, SC at Emanuel A.M.C. Church are yet another reminder of how far away we are in fully building the Kingdom that Jesus came among us to proclaim.  The act was craven and evil. The list of mass murders through gun violence is long and seemingly unrelenting: Aurora, Colorado; Tucson, Arizona; Virginia Tech; Newtown, Connecticut and now Charleston, S.C.  Add in the great loss of the Boston Marathon bombing to the list and it is overwhelming.  And real.

I admit to still be searching for words to express my feelings and thoughts about this latest outrage. Does it matter that the murders happened in a church and not a school, mall, movie theater or college compass? Yes and no.  The deaths and the losses are no greater, yet the sense of sacrilege is palpable.  Christian believers opened up their Bible Study to a stranger, just as Christ would call them to do. They prayed with him. And then he turned on them, shouted hate and in cold blood shot and killed nine beloved servants of God. 

This time racial hatred played center stage, and our long walk with the aftermath of slavery and discrimination continues to hold this country back from achieving the best of what we could become as a people.  Far too many hate crimes are being committed again African Americans today. 

When will real change happen? In our hearts, in our laws, in our attitudes, and in our daily interactions? Soon, very soon we hope and pray. 

Local clergy have organized a vigil this Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. at the Red Brick Church, 2 Spring Street in Exeter.  Occupy SeaCoast is planning a Black Lives Vigil for Market Square in Portsmouth on Sunday, June 28th at 4pm. 

Living in Connecticut after the Newtown massacre in 2012, I thought a real change in society would ensue in terms of common sense gun legislation. I was wrong. What change will come of Emanuel A.M.E.? Removing the confederate flag from the state capital of South Carolina is a good start.