We need to remember that nine people died less than two week ago because of hatred – hatred inspired and nursed by the racism prevalent in our society. Today, in Charleston, they are still mourning the lives of the victims as more funerals are being held at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
For all of our President’s eloquence yesterday in his eulogy for Clementa Pinckney, those lives will have been taken in vain unless this moves our nation forward, not backward, when it comes to race relations and the ideology of hate to which so many in this country subscribe. Voting rights for minorities are under attack, and the so-called religious freedom laws (i.e., the freedom to discriminate) are still being promoted by bigots.
African Americans are still being funneled into prisons at an alarming rate far in excess of any other group. Their communities are still under attack by over-aggressive law enforcement, de facto segregation in education, and discrimination in employment and housing. We have a long way to go to meet the goal set by Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963.
Remember, today is a day of mourning for those whose deaths shocked the conscience of so many. Take time to send your thoughts and prayers (if you are so inclined) to their families who are dealing with such devastating grief, and for all people in this country who still bear the burden of racism, prejudice and the denial of their suffering by too many people.
