This post has partner links that I may receive compensation for at no cost to you. Thank you!
I visited Charleston, South Carolina this past week. I’ll be writing more about my experience soon, but given tonight’s mass shooting, I wanted to write a few thoughts sooner.
I met some really great people in Charleston this weekend. I walked past dozens of buildings with rich histories. It’s a place with a complicated past, to put it lightly. With so many old buildings in the city, it was impossible to learn about all of the places I walked past in just 2 days. I tried to cover what I could. Among other sites, I visited Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, and the Old Slave Mart, one of the few places where that dark side of the city’s past was not glossed over. But now I know more about one of those historical sites that I missed, and it’s for all the wrong reasons. There was a mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston tonight, and the suspect is a white male. As of this writing, he’s still on the loose after murdering nine people.
There is no doubt in my mind about the killer’s motivation. This is pure terrorism & racism. Some people will inevitably try to blame this on mental illness, unwilling to recognize that it’s 2015, and this country still has major issues when it comes to race, issues that can’t just be defended as this being one person’s trouble. I know people with mental illnesses and none of them have committed mass murder in a church.
I’m just stunned at this point. Stunned that this can feel so surprising, yet somehow still not. Stunned that this hatred can exist. Stunned that an act like this can be carried out. Stunned that something so horrific can take place in a city that seemed so tranquil. Stunned that people who I may have chatted with at bus stops or walked past on the street two days ago might be dead. Stunned that above all, this will not be the last time that we are stunned by such a tragedy.
Charleston, you treated me well this weekend. Now let’s all treat you well in return, support you, & not let this all be just one more footnote in the history of this country. It’s time for this hatred to stop.
Traveler, Writer, Photographer, & Terrible Dancer of Everybody Hates A Tourist. Travel enthusiast with decades of expertise. Visited over 40 countries so far. Related interests: craft beer, street food, cocktails, culture, history, sporting events, value travel, hiking, going off-the-beaten path, seafood, & cheese
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
A few thoughts on the tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina
This post has partner links that I may receive compensation for at no cost to you. Thank you!
I visited Charleston, South Carolina this past week. I’ll be writing more about my experience soon, but given tonight’s mass shooting, I wanted to write a few thoughts sooner.
I met some really great people in Charleston this weekend. I walked past dozens of buildings with rich histories. It’s a place with a complicated past, to put it lightly. With so many old buildings in the city, it was impossible to learn about all of the places I walked past in just 2 days. I tried to cover what I could. Among other sites, I visited Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, and the Old Slave Mart, one of the few places where that dark side of the city’s past was not glossed over. But now I know more about one of those historical sites that I missed, and it’s for all the wrong reasons. There was a mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston tonight, and the suspect is a white male. As of this writing, he’s still on the loose after murdering nine people.
The Emanuel AME Church is the oldest AME church in the South. You can read all about its storied past here http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/charleston/ema.htm
There is no doubt in my mind about the killer’s motivation. This is pure terrorism & racism. Some people will inevitably try to blame this on mental illness, unwilling to recognize that it’s 2015, and this country still has major issues when it comes to race, issues that can’t just be defended as this being one person’s trouble. I know people with mental illnesses and none of them have committed mass murder in a church.
I’m just stunned at this point. Stunned that this can feel so surprising, yet somehow still not. Stunned that this hatred can exist. Stunned that an act like this can be carried out. Stunned that something so horrific can take place in a city that seemed so tranquil. Stunned that people who I may have chatted with at bus stops or walked past on the street two days ago might be dead. Stunned that above all, this will not be the last time that we are stunned by such a tragedy.
Charleston, you treated me well this weekend. Now let’s all treat you well in return, support you, & not let this all be just one more footnote in the history of this country. It’s time for this hatred to stop.
Last updated on December 28, 2019
Like this post? Share it with your friends!
Related
About The Author
Jonathan Sacks
Traveler, Writer, Photographer, & Terrible Dancer of Everybody Hates A Tourist. Travel enthusiast with decades of expertise. Visited over 40 countries so far. Related interests: craft beer, street food, cocktails, culture, history, sporting events, value travel, hiking, going off-the-beaten path, seafood, & cheese