Charleston. My heart hurts.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) June 18, 2015
Last night, a white man joined a bible study in the historic Charleston, South Carolina Emmanuel AME church and ended the night by shooting and killing 9 black men and women (6 of the victims were black women). Of course, the coverage surrounding the (white male) killer is incredibly influenced by white supremacy and privilege and so many on Twitter are calling for the shooter to be called what he rightly is – a terrorist. It’s important to see this as a act of violent white supremacy.
Fellow white folk: do not allow anyone to equivocate on Charleston. A white man shooting up a historic black church in prayer is terrorism.
— STEVE HUFF (@SteveHuff) June 18, 2015
Fellow white people : #Charleston is our problem. We enabled it, supported it & are responsible for fixing it.
— Julie S. Lalonde (@JulieSLalonde) June 18, 2015
I’m utterly and completely heartbroken for the families impacted by last night’s shooting, for all of those who pay the price of white supremacy with their lives. The violent nature of white supremacy and racism within the US has claimed far too many lives – even just one is not acceptable. To all of those mourning today and every other day, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Our prayers & thoughts go out to #Charleston This was an act of terrorism & a hate crime. #9Candles #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/lIalSf2yyK
— The Dream Defenders (@Dreamdefenders) June 18, 2015
Our hearts are with the innocent victims, their families, and the community in #Charleston tonight. pic.twitter.com/91ciaI1HGf
— Mongrel Coalition (@AgainstGringpo) June 18, 2015
*Addition: if you can, donate to the church impacted by last night’s shooting.