The recent killing of those at bible study in Mother Emanuel church in
Charleston
,
South Carolina
was an event of peculiar ferocity.
It has given new impetus to the on-going discussion of issues of racial
prejudice and the open access to guns in the
United States
.
I have listened to the eulogy words of President
Barrack Obama for the Pastor of that Church, the Reverend Clementa C. Pickney,
an eloquent and passionate statement of faith and belief in the family of man.
In the strong tradition of the African-American South, he delivered words of
compassion and hope, of forgiveness and hope in a building whose history is so
closely tied to the struggles of the American South.
Politics and faith in the
US
have been intertwined over the years in the Civil Rights
movement. When Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the Washington Memorial in the
early 60s, his words weren’t going well till he departed from the written text
and one near him was heard to say “now here comes the preacher”. The result
was the power and passion of “I
have a dream”.
Here was Obama following in those well-trodden paths
of a sincere Christian faith, a President of African-American lineage speaking
so powerfully on behalf of others whose lives have been overshadowed by years of
being second class citizens.
His reference to the
Confederate Flag that has flown for many
years over the Capitol building in
Charleston
,
South Carolina
was poignant. In last week’s posting on the Significance
of Flags, I mentioned the strength of feeling on this issue.
By association with history, the Confederate flag is still seen by many
as provocative and by others as a rallying point for a racist cause. (Update:
South Carolina's Senators Take Step to Remove the Confederate Flag)
His
conclusion, in leading the singing of Amazing Grace, was fitting indeed, for
throughout his eulogy, the action of the grace of God and our response to it,
was a recurrent theme. The congregation, in picking up his lead, sang along with
him, clapping to rhythm of the words, standing with sincere smiles of hope on
their faces. There was strength in their voices. Those Christian people have
much to teach us about the ever-present grace of God brought to us by faith,
after lives of difficulty and struggle.
His understanding of poverty and its consequences
for those of lower class status, both black and white, was evident throughout.
Now his Presidency is moving towards its conclusion. His leadership qualities
and his sincere voice on behalf of those less fortunate will continue long after
November 2016, a voice that does indeed echo that of King, a tradition to
celebrate.
Since then has occurred the massacre of tourists on
the beach in
Tunisia
and further accounts of death at the hands of IS in the
Middle East
. Here in
UK
we remembered yesterday, on July 7th, the 10th
anniversary of the
London
tube bombings and the pain caused by terrorist activity. May
they all rest in the peace of the Lord.
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