Although I waited one full week to try to address this topic, it still brings so many emotions to the surface. In speaking with one of my closest friends, who hails from South Carolina, I learned that Rev. Pinckney was an extremely powerful speaker. She likened him to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in his delivery of the Word. He was actually a personal friend of her family, and her sister-in-law was at the church just before the shooting, but left to grab a quick meal before returning for Bible study. Had she remained, she would have been among those killed that evening. Several of those murdered were members of the Divine Nine, fraternities and sororities that were founded at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). They were:
Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Myra Thompson, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
Rev. Daniel Simmons, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated
Cynthia Hurd, A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Rev. Sharonda Singleton, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
In the days following the shooting, I read that Dylann Roof was very intentional in choosing the oldest black church of the south. A church that has a rich history and legacy within the community. It is my understanding that his intention was to cause more division between the races, however his attempts have failed. What he probably didn't know is that African Americans have already suffered so much adversity that strength and resilience will always overpower any attempts to cast down and destroy. I applaud the families of the victims and the members of "Mother Emanuel Church" for holding on to their faith, keeping their heads held high and handling this deplorable incident with such dignity and grace. They are truly examples of Christianity at its best.
Until next time,
Stay Sweet!
Hey MayaIndia Sweeties! It's been one week since the horrific shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina where nine members attending Bible study were murdered by a hate-filled young man.
Although I waited one full week to try to address this topic, it still brings so many emotions to the surface. In speaking with one of my closest friends, who hails from South Carolina, I learned that Rev. Pinckney was an extremely powerful speaker. She likened him to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in his delivery of the Word. He was actually a personal friend of her family, and her sister-in-law was at the church just before the shooting, but left to grab a quick meal before returning for Bible study. Had she remained, she would have been among those killed that evening. Several of those murdered were members of the Divine Nine, fraternities and sororities that were founded at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). They were:
Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Myra Thompson, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
Rev. Daniel Simmons, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated
Cynthia Hurd, A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Rev. Sharonda Singleton, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
In the days following the shooting, I read that Dylann Roof was very intentional in choosing the oldest black church of the south. A church that has a rich history and legacy within the community. It is my understanding that his intention was to cause more division between the races, however his attempts have failed. What he probably didn't know is that African Americans have already suffered so much adversity that strength and resilience will always overpower any attempts to cast down and destroy. I applaud the families of the victims and the members of "Mother Emanuel Church" for holding on to their faith, keeping their heads held high and handling this deplorable incident with such dignity and grace. They are truly examples of Christianity at its best.
Until next time,
Stay Sweet!
Although I waited one full week to try to address this topic, it still brings so many emotions to the surface. In speaking with one of my closest friends, who hails from South Carolina, I learned that Rev. Pinckney was an extremely powerful speaker. She likened him to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in his delivery of the Word. He was actually a personal friend of her family, and her sister-in-law was at the church just before the shooting, but left to grab a quick meal before returning for Bible study. Had she remained, she would have been among those killed that evening. Several of those murdered were members of the Divine Nine, fraternities and sororities that were founded at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). They were:
Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Myra Thompson, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
Rev. Daniel Simmons, a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated
Cynthia Hurd, A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Rev. Sharonda Singleton, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
In the days following the shooting, I read that Dylann Roof was very intentional in choosing the oldest black church of the south. A church that has a rich history and legacy within the community. It is my understanding that his intention was to cause more division between the races, however his attempts have failed. What he probably didn't know is that African Americans have already suffered so much adversity that strength and resilience will always overpower any attempts to cast down and destroy. I applaud the families of the victims and the members of "Mother Emanuel Church" for holding on to their faith, keeping their heads held high and handling this deplorable incident with such dignity and grace. They are truly examples of Christianity at its best.
Until next time,
Stay Sweet!
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