I live in South Carolina. I’m sure you know that on June 17th,
our state became a victim of domestic terrorism. A young man entered the
Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, during a prayer meeting. He sat with the
congregation for an hour, then pulled out a gun. He said “I’m here to kill
black people”, or something like that, and fired on the sweet Christians
gathered there. Nine people died. Nine beautiful souls massacred at the one
place that should always be safe—God’s house.
As a mystery writer, I’m often trying to fathom what happens
in the mind of a killer. I have a WIP, long neglected, about domestic
terrorism. But having it happen this close to me is a different experience
altogether. I wasn’t there, I didn’t get
shot. I didn’t personally know the
victims (though I’ve long admired Senator Clem Pinckney, the minister and state
senator killed). Yet I feel, profoundly, this loss. It is like wound inside me.
Inside my home state. Healing will take
time and work.
What makes this tragedy different for me is the killer
himself. A young Caucasian man, from a good family, from where I live. He didn’t have a job. He
did have a mission. He had strong on-line connections with a white supremacy
movement and far-right groups like The Council of Conservative Citizens. He posted a picture of himself holding a gun
and a Confederate flag. He wrote a “Manifesto” in which he blamed “blacks” for
“being inferior.”
He wanted to start a race war.
Why is this relevant? Because the killer had his hate
reinforced. A young man, not quite
succeeding in adulthood, found on-line ties that gave him a sense of
power. The hatred grew and grew until he
became murderous. Law enforcement has alluded to others who may have known of
his plan and DID NOT STOP HIM. Charges may be filed against these colluders.
On the night he entered the Mother Emanuel church, he said
he almost didn’t go through with his plan because “everyone was so nice to
him.” Maybe they touched a younger version of the killer, the kid still inside
who desperately needed a moment of grace. Sadly, hate won that night, and he
carried out the massacre.
The story doesn’t stop here.
In one of the most powerful moments I’ve ever witnessed on TV, this
happened: the family members of the victims faced the killer via video feed and
stated, “I forgive you.” They spoke of hurt and anguish and never being the
same again, yet uttered these words over and over “I forgive you. May God have mercy on you.” http://abcnews.go.com/US/dylann-roof-hears-victims-families-speak-1st-court/story?id=31896001
Every time I watch this video, something catches in my
throat.
The killer will be brought to justice. But more importantly,
hate did not win. His violent act did not breed other fights; it did not lead
to rioting in the streets. My state—and the nation—responded with prayer vigils, religious services, solidarity
protests, and unity gatherings. We are coming to terms with the negative symbol
of the Confederate flag flying at our state capitol, and are working together
to bring it down. (Three statehouse
rallies have been held, drawing several thousand people, myself included. Three
more rallies are planned.)
I believe the
flag will come down. I don’t believe that’s the solution, though. Racism
continues to exist, in more subtle forms, and we must, as a nation, address it.
The messages of hate that the killer found on-line continue to exist. Other
vulnerable people may embrace them, may have their hatred fed by them, and may
commit heinous acts, though I pray this won’t happen again. I pray that, one
day, we are less a nation of “we vs they” and more a nation of “us.”
And what gives me
hope that this might happen is the video link above. If the victims’ families
can rise above their pain to forgive the killer, I can’t help but think love can
win over hate.
When I return to
my domestic terrorism WIP, I may view it through an entirely different lens. I may have less sympathy for my fictional
killer, but may see him in a broader context.
Your thoughts?
Carla, you've written powerfully about events and images that have affected us all profoundly. I pray, as you do, that this will not happen again and that we can be united in peace rather than divided by hate.
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is such a powerful force, bringing positive benefits to the forgiver, possibly the forgiven, and certainly to the rest of the world. I do not know I could be that strong, but I would hope to be.
ReplyDelete~ Jim
For several years, I taught social studies to special education students in an inner city Baltimore public school. I live in Pennsylvania, and had not previously studied much specific to Maryland.
ReplyDeleteThe first surprise was the state motto, which translates as "Womanly words, manly deeds."
The second, and it was a shock, were the words to the state song, Maryland, My Maryland.
It was written in 1861, and is a call to join Virginia in the Civil War. Lincoln is referred to as "vandal," "despot" and "tyrant." The song calls for Maryland to rise and fight the "Northern scum."
I understand honoring the bravery of all who fought for causes in which they believe, but in this case, as with the Confederate battle flag, we express support for treason and hate. That, I don't understand.
Forgiveness is an incredibly powerful thing. As a work-in-progress human being, this is something I am ALWAYS working on. What those families did was really unbelievable. Yet TRUE.
ReplyDelete"I pray that, one day, we are less a nation of “we vs they” and more a nation of “us.” Just beautiful, Carla.
ReplyDeleteI too was overwhelmed by the grace of the families of Senator Pinckney and the other victims.
ReplyDeleteSadly I lack this grace.
I was furiously, incredibly angry when this happened. I still am. This young man’s murderous hatred was fueled by many in our society. A society where there is a war on Black people. A society where there is a war on the underprivileged and a war on our most vulnerable citizens.
I am glad we did not have riots in SC. I am glad the flag is coming down.
What I fear is that most people will give themselves congratulatory pats on the back and all will return to normal. A normal where discrimination is rampant in employment, housing, medical care and education. I’ve been an activist for over 50 years. I am tired. Will there will be people who will not stop fighting for equal rights , who will not stop fighting for the very young and the very old, who will not allow a few wealthy companies to dictate what is right for all of us? I hope so. I am tired and I am still angry. And that is my truth.
Dee you are so right. We can't let the flag's removal be the solution. It is the FIRST STEP of the solution, which will involve soul-searching and dramatic change in how we see our brothers and sisters, no matter their race, gender, etc status.
ReplyDelete.
Carla, I don't live in South Carolina and I've never been there, however, I also got teary eyed over the whole business just listening to it on NPR and reading about it in the newspaper. I can't understand that kind of hatred in the young man and in the white supremacists who support it. The ironic thing is many consider themselves Christians. That
ReplyDeletewhole outlook whether its those in our country or the radical Islamists in other countries totally baffles me. Of course, although I don't feel personal hatred for any one person I know,or even anything close to it, I can feel hatred for those groups I mentioned. Hatred
for their cruel and hateful behaviors, especially those who've deluded themselves into thinking they're doing it because it's God's will.
Wonderful post, Carla. the forgiveness of the families was breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Carla. I cried when I saw that film. I'm a Yankee living in SC. When I moved here, I was astounded by how many people saw me as an enemy. Now, I've lived here longer than I lived in the North, and I still get occasional comments about being a Yankee as if it explains my points of view, even by people who should know better. Maybe websites that promote hate and murder should be shut down just like sites that sell and display children's pornography or incite pedophilia. If that infringes on First Amendment rights, then why not a clarification of what the First Amendment is about. Wish I knew the answer.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Carla. I admire the families who forgave the killer, but I doubt if I'd have the grace or courage to do the same. I've lived over three-quarters of my life in South Carolina and love many things about it. Most of the people are good and kind and try to lead decent, honorable lives with respect for all; sadly there are also many who live in fear and hatred and need to find a target for all that rage. What can we do to reach those people? I don't have the answer either, but I hope we find one soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, guys. What an amazing few weeks this has been. Senator Pinckney's widow was on the Senate floor today after the third reading passed the bill to move the flag onto the House. A very touching moment.
ReplyDeleteYet, we have so much more we need to do ...
Wow. Love this perspective. I, too am moved so deeply every time I think about the forgiveness offered by those families. Just amazing.
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