On June 17, 2015 in Charleston, South Carolina, nine black/African American people were senselessly gunned down for one simple reason.
They were born black.
In their sanctuary, their place of worship and solace, hate and terror found its way in. The struggle remains real. So blatantly real that anyone I personally know who tries to logically rationalize it away dehumanizes me as well.
To say the entire black community is grieving right now is a gross understatement. Beyond the fact that the church – Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (1816) – has been attacked and burnt down in the past by people filled with so much hate, this shooting was a clear reminder of the utter inequality that still exists, the foul stench of privilege and entitlement, and the constant dehumanizing of black lives.
And please, please, please… step back with any “lone wolf” comments before leaving them below. I’m just saying.
Awhile back, I wrote about pieces that spoke for me when I lost my voice after what felt like the umpteenth time a person of color was senselessly gunned down by people who were meant to protect them. I’ve written about racism and when trolls come out to play on this blog. I pick my battles wisely when tangible progress can be made with the most impact. Otherwise, I’d lose my voice everyday. And I need that voice to keep speaking out. The injustices, racism, and prejudice we face – I face – on a daily basis is emotionally exhausting.
I mentally can’t do anything else for the rest of this week.
I’ll resume sharing more stories with you next week because, as morally depraved as the world feels every single day, there are deep pockets of hope and goodness and love, and above all, love always prevails. I continue to choose love.
So I leave you (yet again) with this quote below by E.E. Cummings that has been my mantra through my entire life (as you can see in my header above):
“To be nobody but yourself in a world that is doing its best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you’re ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.”
Rest in perfect peace, Charleston 9 – Cynthia, Susie, Ethel, DePayne, Clementa, Tywanza, Daniel, Sharonda, Myra.
You are now with Him; the author, perfecter, and finisher of our faith.
I’ve been trying to think of a way to respond to this. All I can say is you are beautiful and you write truth. Like Mara, my throat is also tight.
Thank you so much Leigh! Love you
Amen sister! Keep fighting and know there that even though we as a society and the World still have a long ways to go we can’t give in and give up hope. Keep shining your light.!!
Thank you so much for being such a strong support. You have encouraged me in so many ways, more than you ever know. From leaving words of encouragement to reading and viewing my work when I feel no one out there is actually reading. Thank you so much Monica!
My pleasure Lola. I will always try to be the light when it is the darkest hour. Keep up the good work.
Oh, Lola, this makes my throat tight. I want you to know that there are those among us who want nothing more than to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, to lift you and the many others who suffer. We can only meet this inhumanity with love, but I know that the suffering is intense. Please know my thoughts are with you.
Thank you so much for being a vocal ally Mara! I – we – sincerely appreciate it. Thank you so very much!