Charleston, SC; the new ground zero
by S. Rotan Hale
As the nation struggles with the tragic deaths of 9 victims at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, SC on July 17, local branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) held a vigil in response to this most recent display of racial hatred which through this incident has risen to a new high in the U.S.
Leading the charge as chief organizer was local NAACP president Brenda Hale who spoke to the crowd of about 100 that gathered at the Martin Luther King Bridge in downtown Roanoke.
With the bronze statue of Martin Luther King in the background, guest speaker, Rev. William Lee, pastor, Loudon Avenue Christian Church eloquently reflected on the writings of Howard Thurman, (1899-1981) a philosopher, theologian, educator, civil rights leader and prolific author. Thurman, considered one of the greatest African American preachers of the 20th century, reportedly spent an internship at Roanoke’s First Baptist Church in the ’60s.
Rev. Lee used Thurman’s book “The Luminous Darkness” (1965), to push the point that, “Events like the Charleston tragedy enable us to shed some light in darkness.”
Drawing attention to the root causes of certain societal ills, Lee mentioned the new level of disrespect directed particularly at Barack Obama, America’s first Black president, and said, “Our president has been disrespected more than anyone in a public forum. You can’t disrespect the commander-n-chief and that stuff not trickle down to street-level.” Such tactics, he suggested have resulted in a rash of racially charged incidents as the country has experienced since the historic 2008 election that changed the fabric of race relations and not just in America.
Furthermore Lee said it (the new disrespect) “sends the message that (Black) life doesn’t matter and what happens over and over again is it gets dark and it’s getting darker.”
Rev. Lee raised civil discourse as one means to address the problem–so as to “talk about things that will make us more humane.” Proceeding with other solutions he strongly encouraged Blacks particularly to register and vote and said, “No one is going to take us seriously if all we’re going to do is come together after tragedy, sing a few songs and go home. We’ve got to let politicians know that we are serious and that we want justice now!”
Attacking the issue of Black on Black crime, Rev. Lee admonished, “You can’t talk about Black lives matter and get mad if a White person kills a Black person when the Black on Black crime rate is at an all-time high.” We’ve got to do something in the Black community to convince folks that we (ourselves) believe that Black lives matter.”
The service was rich with songs, encouraging messages and spiritual support. Francis Berry, local chapter life membership chair read the names of the slain church members that added credence and delicately consecrated the vigil.
Another charismatic speaker on program was Rev. Christine Ziglar, pastor Mount Zion AME Church in northwest Roanoke who delivered a spiritually charged message. “If you belong to one AME church you belong to all AME churches for we are a connectional church,” she proclaimed, referring to the binding denominational lineage that made the unfortunate incident somewhat more significance to her and fellow AME parishioners.
Raising 1 of 3 points, she mentioned President Obama’s message asking for more gun control policies. She stressed the need for security in churches and recognizing that the world has changed, she said “We want and welcome non-violent strangers to our church… but we must learn to watch as well as pray.”
She closed prophetically charging, “Christians are known by their love which is the foundation of our belief system,” and also mentioned forgiveness as being “essential in our faith.”
Several in the crowd offered testimonies regarding their personal connection to Emanuel A.M.E. Church that unfortunately continues to struggle with the aftermath and through it all, amazingly held regular service the following Sunday.
Many of those who gathered at the MLK bridge also attended an ecumenical commemorative service held the following Sunday (June 21) at Mount Zion African Methodist Church where Rev. Christine Hodge Ziglar is Senior Pastor.
Faith leaders as Rev. Melton Johnson, pastor, First Baptist Church, Salem; Dr. Judi Love Bowman and Mary Hackley, retired Roanoke City School administrator led the service. Those who packed the sanctuary of the church off Melrose Ave. in northwest Roanoke were joined by a who’s-who of area leaders who gathered in a display of solidarity.
In addition to the delegation of clergy showing support an array of other dignitaries were out in full force. Among them were: Delegate Sam Rasoul, Senator John Edwards, local NAACP president Brenda Hale, Dr. Nathaniel Bishop, president, Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Councilwoman Anita Price and several others who delivered kind, compassionate and thought provoking messages in response to the recent SC tragedy.
During the service nine AME church members of the Western Region stood, turned to the audience and held up pictures of those slain in the massacre. Solemnly their names were called and Rev. Amy Ziglar said, “These individuals are now singing around the throne of God.”
It is estimated that over 25 denominations and or congregations were represented at the memorable gathering. “This interfaith, interracial, multicultural gathering of believers represents the human race,” said Rev. Amy Ziglar. The service closed with the 150 congregants, preachers, priest and politicians holding hands and singing “We Shall Overcome.”
There is no way to calculate the number of lives this tragedy will affect. Furthermore, it is up to each individual to decide whether the sacrifice of lives at Emanuel A.M.E. Church registers simply as another day of discord and chaos or one that potentially transforms this racially torn nation–to one of sustainable peace. Let’s be about the (concentrated and incremental) change we seek.
