The horrific events in Charleston have left me despairing and profoundly sad. Hatred in raw form has again exhibited itself in the killing of nine precious souls while they prayed in the AME church. They welcomed the murderer into their prayer circle and were so nice to him that he considered not shooting them. But then he reconsidered because he was afraid no one else would do it if he didn't. This man is not insane, he's a murderer. This was a long planned, calculated act. And yet, the families forgave him and asked God to forgive him. The family's testimonies were stunning in their compassion. Yet, the perpetrator remained impassive.
More subtle contempt is being revealed in people's responses. The confederate flag continues to fly over Charleston. Defenders say it's part of their history. Then put it in a museum! It represents repression, slavery, rape, lynching, degradation, beatings, torture destruction of families. All other flags are flying at half mast, yet the confederate flag cannot be lowered by state law! It's a crazed mentality and abhorrent practice.
A representative from the NRA today blamed Reverend Clementa Pinckney for his own death and the deaths of the other victims because he voted against possessing guns in churches. Blaming the victim for his own murder! A despicable comment from an ignorant, cruel person.
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. remained hopeful throughout his long struggle for justice despite the endless vicious attacks. When I listened to Rev. Pinckney's speeches, his wisdom, restraint and kindness reminded me of King. Such a terrible loss.
I thought after the shooting of twenty first graders at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown that perhaps that was the mass murder that would finally change minds and hearts about gun control. The horror of losing those precious children and their teachers surely would spur action. No. Sales have boomed since then.
King said, "We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools." Apparently, at this time anyway, we are fools.
Lovely clematis
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