By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
Ten years ago, on June 17, 2015, a group of worshipers entered Mother Emanuel AME Church for a Bible study, in Charleston, South Carolina. Though they stepped into the oldest AME church in the South to strengthen their walk with God, they were joined by one visitor who had a different motive.
Driven by racial hatred, the young man they had welcomed with open arms, opened fire during Bible study. By the end of the night, nine of the 12 parishioners in the room lay dead– including a sitting state legislator, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, of South Carolina’s 45th District.
Since then, community leaders say little has been done to protect others from falling victim to similar fates due in part, due to stark differences between Democrats and Republicans on the need for tougher laws.
Ten years later, legislators are still fighting for change.
On June 16, Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) and Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), along with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and other members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, announced legislation to close the “Charleston loophole” and establish universal background checks for firearm purchases.
“June 17, marks the 10th anniversary of the massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. On that horrific night in 2015, a shooter motivated by racial hatred opened fire during a bible study at this historic place of worship, killing nine worshipers,” said Clyburn, in a statement. “He was able to obtain the gun because of a provision in federal law that allows the sale to take place if the background check is still unresolved after three business days. Ten years ago, it became known as the Charleston loophole.”
Malcolm Graham holds a painting of his late sister, Cynthia Graham-Hurd. Graham, a former state senator in North Carolina, firmly believes that America’s failure to confront White supremacism cost the life of his older sister, Cynthia Graham-Hurd. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) 
Najee Washington holds a photo of her grandmother Ethel Lance, one of the nine people killed in the 2015 shooting at Emanuel AME Church.”She cared for everyone. She took care of people. She would give her last to anyone,” said Washington. “That’s what she was and that’s what she’ll always be.” (AP Photo/David Goldman) The men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. lead a crowd of people in prayer outside the Emanuel AME Church after a memorial in Charleston, S.C. Thousands gathered at the College of Charleston TD Arena to bring the community together after nine people were shot to death at the church on June 17, 2015. The current brick Gothic revival edifice, completed in 1892 to replace an earlier building heavily damaged in an earthquake, was a mandatory stop for the likes of Booker T. Washington and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton) 
Tywanza Sanders is remembered as a talented artist who was both a musician and poet. He was one of the nine people killed in the June 17, 2015 shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. (Photo Credit: Meta (Instagram)/ ACLU of SC) 
Susie Jackson Lane is remembered as a dutiful servant. She served as a trustee and as an usher for Emanuel AME Church. (Photo courtesy of City of Charleston Department of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability) 
People walk past photos of some of the victims of the shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church before a memorial service honoring those killed on June 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) 
Friends and family remember Myra Thompson, as a dedicated member of Emanuel AME Church. On June 17, 2015 she was teaching the bible study that was ambushed by a lone, racist shooter. (Photo Credit: Meta (Instagram)/ Community Renewal Society – Chicago) 
As a result of the life he lived, Rev. Daniel Simmons still serves as an inspiration to those who knew him and many who never had the opportunity to enjoy his spirit. (Photo Credit: Meta(Instagram)/ Alana Grant) 
Still today Rev. Clementa Pinckney is honored for his service to the state of South Carolina as a Democratic member of the state senate. At the time of his death, Pinckney was a sitting state legislator, representing the 45th District. (Photo Credit: Meta (Facebook)/ Rev. Clementa Pinckney) 
Shown here, Rev. Sharonda Singleton. The assistant pastor for Emanuel AME church died in the racially motivated shooting inside of Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015. (Photo Credit: Meta (Facebook)/ Rachelle Estrill) 
Rev. Depayne Middleton-Doctor is remembered as a woman of God who touched many lives. (Credit: Meta (Instagram)/ columbiacollegesc)
“I am proud to join Rep. Mike Thompson in introducing The Enhanced Background Checks Act that would eliminate the three-day period and establish in its place a more thorough process that would keep guns out of dangerous hands, while protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens,” Clyburn continued.
Rep. Mike Thompson spoke on the legislation in a statement sent to the AFRO.
“Keeping guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves, or others just makes sense — and Americans overwhelmingly agree,” Thompson said. “That’s why 90 percent of non-gun owners and 90 percent of gun owners support universal background checks for firearm purchases. “Background checks are quick and effective tools to keep our communities safe while still respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens. It’s time Republican leaders in the House get on board and help us pass this sensible legislation.”
Congressman Hamilton R. Grant, 36, a native of Columbia, South Carolina, recently completed his first session in office as a representative for District 79, in Richland County, South Carolina.
As the father of three, ages 5, 3, and 1, Grant said tougher legislation must be enacted to protect his children and others from potential racially motivated violence in the future.
“For some, this is a conversation that occurs once a year and is more of a social media phenomenon,” he said. “But for my wife and me – we live with the tragedy of Mother Emanuel every day.”
Grant is tied to Rev. Daniel Simmons, one of the Mother Emanuel victims, by marriage.
“We’re reminded that nine people died because of the color of their skin. While the president may want to erase history, we cannot forget what happened. And elected officials must do everything in our power to prevent anything like this happening again,” Grant said. “The Republicans control the governor’s office and the House and Senate. They have been unwilling to pass tougher legislation. But we cannot give up. We have a long way to go.”
Democratic Leader Jeffries echoed Grant’s sentiments.
“We will continue to press forward with the fierce urgency of now until we crush the gun violence epidemic in the United States of America once and for all,” said Jeffries via a statement.
Charleston native remembers the shooting like it was ‘yesterday’
Shemeka Wright, 42, a Charleston, South Carolina native, had just gotten home on the evening of June 17, 2015, when the news broke that there had been a shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church. Her mother had been scheduled to attend a meeting there that evening. Not knowing who had been shot nor who had been killed or injured, she said her “heart dropped.”
“I felt a little better after I was able to reach my mother on her cell,” said Wright. “Our church has a relationship with the members of Mother Emanuel, so I knew many of the people, including the former pastor, who were murdered that day. While we will never forget, we must find a way to forgive the shooter. The church is a place where we are called to seek peace and to forgive – as difficult as that may be.”
Wright said she struggles to explain what happened on that tragic evening to her daughters, who are 8 and 9, as well as to her nephew, now 21, who once played in the church’s education building.
A history rooted in strength
Emanuel AME Church, known colloquially as “Mother Emanuel” was founded as more than a place of worship– it was a movement. According to information released by Mother Emanuel, the denomination known as the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church) was founded on May 9, 1816 as a way for Black people to worship free of the bias and racism prevalent in the Methodist Church.
What began in Philadelphia under the leadership of Reverend Richard Allen was spread to Charleston by Reverend Morris Brown. By 1818, there were multiple AME Church meeting houses in Charleston. One location, in the Hampstead community, was the church home of none other than Denmark Vessey, the former slave and rebellious carpenter responsible for plotting one of the largest slave uprisings in history. Ultimately, his plan was discovered before it could be carried out, and Vessey- along with more than 30 others- was sentenced to death by hanging. But that wasn’t enough. Outraged, White residents then burned down the church Vessey attended. For a while, the intimidation worked.
According to Emanuel AME Church history, “because of further White hostility, the African church became dormant. Many members went back to White churches, while others continued to worship within the African Church tradition secretly. This continuation of meetings of the Hampstead congregation enabled them to resurface with 3,000 members in 1865.”
In a brilliant display of resiliency, “on September 6, 1865, the trustees of the new but unincorporated Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church purchased the present site of Emanuel.”
The original wooden two-story church built in 1872 at the present Mother Emanuel site had to be rebuilt after an earthquake on Aug. 31, 1886. By 1892, another building was erected for $35,000 while the church was being led by Reverend Lewis Ruffin Nichols.
More renovations came in the 1940s and 50s and during the Civil Rights Movement, the building was a common stop for leaders fighting for change.
Still today, legislators and would-be elected officials flock to Mother Emanuel to speak to the Black community of Charleston when considering public office. In the face of disasters and racial terror, time and time again the church has risen to triumph over tragedy. Ten years after the deadly shooting, the church is still moving forward.
“My nephew is only now beginning to understand the full extent of what happened and why,” Wright said. “He was just a little boy 10 years ago but now, as an adult, he’s getting a true dose of reality. As for my daughters, I don’t want to frighten them. But the truth can be painful.”
“They must understand that as girls – as Brown people – there are those in the world who do not like them and may hurt them simply because of the color of their skin, their gender, or both,” she continued. “Racism is alive and well here in South Carolina and across the nation. Many are angry in America. Somehow, we’ve got to get on the same page.”
