CANAN CALLS KILLINGS IN SOUTH CAROLINA CHURCH AN AFFRONT AGAINST “THE LAND OF THE FREE”
Cananusa.org, New York-June 19, 2015—-Members of the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN are alarmed at the horrendous killings of 9 believers in church on Wednesday in Charleston, South Carolina.
America’s relative reverence for a place of worship, and the nation’s peace has been rudely interrupted by the action of the alleged gun man, 21-year old Dylann Roof. This young man reminds us again of the rather troubling but real racial divisions and angst that still exist in the dark crevices of some within this most beloved country.
Among those who were killed execution-style at a Bible Study were the Pastor, who is also a lawmaker in the state, church ministers and others totaling 6 females and 3 males with ages ranging from the 20s to the 80s.
News report even indicated that the young man told a member that she was spared to tell the story of what happened. This suspect represents among the worst of human wickedness and devilry. It is the continuous breeding of such young people that should however cause greater concern. Let all of us as groups of families never waiver in instilling the finer mettle of grace, love, tolerance, understanding and peace in our children and in all homes.
This attack on a black church is another attempt to ridicule the assertion in America’s anthem, “the land of the free.” History reminds us the city of Charleston’s past since the days of slavery to the Civil War and now as being “inseparable from the nation’s anguished struggle with race.” may that struggle cease in the name of the Lord!
While CANAN condemns the grievous murders, we commiserate with the families of the victims, the 197-year old local church and the entire nation.
CANAN also stands with all people of goodwill, and all people of faith to declare that this is another opportunity for us to exhibit the supremacy of love over hate, understanding over ignorance, tolerance over lustful anger, and goodness over every evil known to humankind.
We believe that while America grapples with some of these despicable acts of evil, like the one seen this past week in SC, America is also the place with some of the best expressions of human kindness, grace, benevolence and every known lofty virtues. The ennobling and positive responses of the people and the nation have made this evident already that the far larger majority of Americans and the essence of this nation is about peace and mutual regard, even with some of the differences that exist in society.
Therefore we call for unity against this evil, and we commend leaders in the communities and in government who have spoken up against this dastardly act.
We pray that love will overcome, and we ask the government at different levels and the people of this nation to do more to bridge the racial divide by using every available prudent civil, social, political and economic means within legitimate reach.
While noting that the law enforcement agents have already arrested a suspect, it is important to use this incident to send a clear message that such hate crimes and wanton racial malice such as this have no place in our dear nation, the “home of the brave.”
‘Laolu Akande
Executive Director
Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN