When tragedy strikes in America, we are obsessed. We love a good crime, a confusing mystery, a new story to talk about and watch unfold. We so often forget that in the wake of terrorism and tragedy, real human beings are broken. People who could have been our friends and family are lost, people with names and families and stories.
We hear the general story, and when the next big thing comes around, we forget all about those people whose names we never learned and the stories we opened links to and never read. It's been two weeks, but I think you should hear the story of Charleston again.
Growing up as a in the South, there was clearly still a bit of a racial divide, but it never bothered me, and it never occurred to me that the racial issues would ever hit close to home. Two years ago, I began living with a wonderful African American girl named Jade, and for the past two years, I have watched every racially charged issue in America frustrate her. Slowly, after hearing her side and listening to her stories, they have come to frustrate me.
This story has become a story of a white man killing black men and women. The way I see it, one man killed fellow man. He murdered beautiful people with incredible stories.
One week ago, on the evening of June 17, 2015 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (Emanuel AME), a young man named Dylan Roof entered into a Bible study filled with people just looking to worship. After sitting with those praying for a bit, Roof opened fire and murdered nine innocent people, ranging in age from 26-87 years of age. Roof was caught the next morning with no contest and has confessed and is now being held without bond, awaiting trial.
These are the facts, but I don't believe that Roof needs any more attention than anyone has already given him. I feel no need to look into his life or why he made this decision. I believe that the people who lost their lives deserve to be known infinitely more than the man who took them.
I don't know the stories of the people who were so brutally slaughtered, but I want you to know their names. I don't care whether you're white, black, red, green, or blue. These people who lost their lives in a house of God deserve to have their names known by you.
Sharonda Coleman Singleton, 45 years old
Sharonda was a speech pathologist at the local high school. She was a track and field coach at the high school. She had three children and took care of them as a single parent. She was a supportive mom and coach whose son called her "a God-fearing woman who loved everybody with all her heart".
Tywanza Sanders, 26 years old
Tywanza Sanders graduated in 2014 with a degree in business from Allen University. Sanders and his aunt Susie Jackson were both murdered in Emanuel AME, but Sanders stood between the shooter and his aunt in attempt to save her.
Cynthia Hurd, 54 years old
Cynthia managed the local library, and she worked there for over 30 years. Cynthia loved to help others. She wanted others to find their answers in the books she handed them.
Susie Jackson, 87 years old
Susie Jackson was the aunt of victim Tywanza Sanders and watched her nephew die in attempt to save her life. She was an avid member of a religious fraternity and attended Bible study at Emanuel AME weekly.
DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49 years old
Depayne Middleton-Doctor was the mother of four girls. She had a love of education and adventure. She did all she could to instill that love in both her daughters and the people she worked so hard to help, as she held an administrative position in Charleston County working to give grants to those most in need.
Daniel Simmons, Sr., 74 years old
Dr. Simmons was a retired pastor of over 30 years who regularly attended church at Emanuel AME as part of the ministerial staff. He was a father and beloved man who fought in the Vietnam War and earned the Purple Heart.
Clementa Pinckney, 41 years old
Clementa was a pastor from the age of 18 until he passed. He had two daughters, and loved them deeply. He served as a state Senator and leader for his community. He is described as "a man of God who lived by faith".
Myra Thompson, 59 years old
Myra Thompson was a family woman who worked at Emauel AME and taught at a local middle school for over a decade. Thompson was a passionate woman who wanted to see others not only succeed, but thrive.
Ethel Lee Lance, 70 years old
Ethel Lee Lance was in retirement after dedicating over 30 years to the well-being of performance arts and to her church family. She was a grandmother and leaves behind children and grandchildren mourning her loss, but calling her life "a symbol of love".
To these men and women's families and friends,
I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry that one human was so inherently selfish that he took those that you love. I cannot begin to imagine your pain and your sense of loss. Please know that there are so many around the country, people of every race and background who are watching and praying for you in the wake of your tragedy. Those that you lost, that you love, they will not not be forgotten, and their names will not go unknown.
