I keep thinking about Rev Clementa Pinckney’s little girls growing up without their father because that confederate flag clad kkk murdered him and 8 others a year ago at Emmanuel AME church in my hometown, Charleston, South Carolina. People ask me whether I have forgiven the murderer. The short answer is not yet.
Forgive: to stop feeling angry or resentful towards someone who has done something wrong.
The victims’ families immediately forgave him, stating their Christian faith commanded them to forgive. I was raised in the church by an evangelical mother, father and uncle who were pastors and extended church family, so why is it so hard for me to forgive the kkk murderer? My late father used to quote Ghandi all the time: “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.”
This case really challenges my core beliefs. I am opposed to the death penalty as applied because it is given disproportionately to African-Americans and the poor. Often innocent people are condemned to death. DNA has proved that over and over. But the Charleston kkk murderer admits his crimes. He seeks life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. If the kkk confessed murderer does not get the death penalty, then no one should. Everyone on death row should have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
I genuinely want peace, to love my neighbor as myself and to forgive. But what about justice? kkk who murdered and terrorized African Americans were never punished by police, juries, or judges who were members and/or supporters of the kkk. How can you forgive someone if he does not ask for forgiveness and shows no remorse?
I am dedicating “My Heart” to all of who have lost loved ones to violence.
One Love…
Aria