Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston, SC. ~ Flikr Creative Commons/jalexartis
We, the members of the United Methodist Black Clergy of Michigan, stand in stunned disbelief at the horrific events at the historic “Mother” Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) in Charleston, South Carolina. It is unconscionable to conceive that a place of prayer and peace would become a killing ground. It is shocking to comprehend that nine men and women lost their lives simply because they extended the gift of hospitality to a stranger.
We send our deepest sympathy to the entire Emanuel AME Church family, especially to the families of the victims of this heinous act of violence.
We, along with our nation, have been shaken to our core by this senseless tragedy. Our nation continues to struggle with issues of ethnic discrimination and hatred. Yes, we have made significant strides, evidenced by the election and re-election of our first African American President. However, the injustices of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Gardner and Walter Scott demonstrate that prejudice and discrimination are woven into the fabric of this nation.
One cannot simply pluck an errant thread or weave good intentions within the tapestry of this nation and hope for the best. The garment must be systematically and deliberately unraveled in order to remove the sinister fibers of bigotry, discrimination, racism and hatred.
People of all ethnicities and religious affiliations have felt the acute fear brought upon by this massacre. Yes, our fears and anxieties are real, but more importantly we are a people of faith.
As people of faith, we cannot allow our fears to supplant our commission to love. As people of faith, we cannot allow sorrow to overwhelm our call to advocate for the disenfranchised and marginalized. As people of faith, we must turn our anger into proactive and productive community transformation. As people of faith, we cannot surrender to the darkness and chaos of the times we live in. On the contrary, we must step boldly into the darkness clothing ourselves with hope, joy, determination and love.
United Methodist Black Clergy of Michigan
~The Rev. Dr. Darryl Totty, Coordinator
Last Updated on June 23, 2015