Survivors Reunite in Remembrance and Faith
On June 17th, worshippers returned to Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston to mark ten years since nine Black members were murdered during Bible study by a white supremacist. Survivors and supporters gathered in the same fellowship hall, reflecting on grief, forgiveness, and perseverance. Members of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, site of a 2018 mass shooting, joined the service in solidarity.
Shared Grief, Common Struggle
Rabbi Jeff Myers, who leads Tree of Life, lamented that hate-fueled violence persists. Quoting the Declaration of Independence, he said, “Except for the Jews and the Blacks. That’s how I feel in America right now.” He noted both attacks came from fellow Americans who sought to erase entire communities.
Political Leaders Decry Ongoing Violence
Sen. Mark Kelly and former Rep. Gabby Giffords, both gun violence survivors, spoke from the pulpit. Kelly warned, “Hate with a gun in its hand is deadly.” Their presence underscored calls for stronger gun laws and broader societal change. Despite national mourning, South Carolina remains without a hate crime law.
Lasting Impact Amid Lingering Injustice
The 2015 massacre prompted South Carolina to remove the Confederate flag from Statehouse grounds, ending decades of debate. Yet systemic racism and violence continue. The red sanctuary carpet remains unchanged, a symbol of the church’s resilience. Survivors push for justice, but progress feels slow.
Faith, Forgiveness, and a Call to Unity
Church member Marvin Stewart expressed his struggle: “Forgiveness is hard. I’m in a space of acceptance.” The service closed with “Amazing Grace,” evoking memories of President Obama’s 2015 eulogy. Survivors stood to applause as Chris Singleton, who lost his mother in the shooting, urged the congregation to “hug somebody who looks different than you.”
A Legacy of Hope and Resistance
Rev. Eric Manning declared that the shooter failed. “People of faith are still here,” he said. “Let the memory of the Emanuel Nine be a light that guides us… to renewal and change.”
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10 years after Charleston church massacre, faith leaders lament that the country hasn’t changed
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