Young Racist Murderer Shows More Regard for Black Church than Black Youth

Young Racist Murderer Shows More Regard for Black Church than Black Youth

By Rodrick K. Burton

Investigators and the nation breathlessly await more information surrounding Dylann Roof’s motives behind his shooting nine people at Emanuel AME Church. Charleston and the nation are still in shock. More information has been emerging from the survivors of the massacre, from law enforcement, and now from Roof’s own social media and “manifesto.”

It has reported that Dylann selected the historic African American church because it was historic. Dylann Roof, a young radicalized self- identified segregationist hoped as many other misguided racist, neo-Nazis, and violent Klansmen that a key event would trigger a race war.

It is this persistent belief expressed in hate literature that blacks would respond to egregious overtly racially motivated attacks with violent counterattacks on whites, and during this war whites using superior numbers and firepower will wipe out African Americans like the Native Americans.

This misreading of African Americans by white supremacist constantly exposes their lack of supremacy in cultural intelligence, but sadly this thinking is widely disseminated in their literature. Apparently Dylann studied up on it; formulated an attack plan; carefully selected a target; and despite last minute second thoughts in the face of Christian hospitality still carried out his plan because “if he didn’t do it no one would.”

What is noteworthy about this 21-year old white kid living in Lexington South Carolina, had enough understanding of the importance of the church in African American culture that he picked Emanuel AME Church to be the site for his crime.

This was no loopy, mentally ill perpetrator bent on mayhem, but a crafty and savvy individual, so do not listen to any assertions in the media otherwise as they routinely do in cases of white mass murderers. They are not called terrorist, thugs, or menaces to society as people of color in similar circumstances – but make no mistake about it Roof’s actions were those of a terrorist. Armed attack on civilians – check; meticulous preplanning – check; manifesto – check; all typical terrorist behavior.

The African American Church represents achievement in the face of national opposition. It is assumed that most slaves were permitted to practice their faith; however there were many slave owners who forbid the practice of religion and most others allowed practice only under white supervision.

Despite the challenges of slavery, the failure of Reconstruction, Jim Crow Segregation the black church was born. This emergence of the black church was miraculous, an act of empowerment, unifying for the community, and a shame when you consider the claims for America to be founded a “Christian Nation.” The rising of African Americans was facilitated exclusively by the church. The collective experience of worship, education, and activism all came out of the black church. The current Civil Rights we enjoy and take for granted came from the Black Church. Dylann Roof, a young white man, got this- but sadly our Post Civil Rights generation doesn’t get it. We have our youth abandoning our heritage and as recent crimes have shown, targeted our heritage to rob folks of their offering. Many other youth have judged the church’s response to Travon Martin, Michael Brown, and other cases as reason to abandon it.

My question as you consider other ethnicities is: who abandons their heritage? Who lets others outside their community respect or disrespect their legacy?

Let us take the time to grieve with our brothers and sisters in Charleston and to learn to honor our churches, protect them, and preserve them.

Editor’s Note: Rev. Rodrick K. Burton is Pastor of the New Northside Missionary Baptist Church, 8645 Goodfellow Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63147, www.newnorthsidebaptist.org., (314) 381-5730. The opinions expressed by Rev. Burton are not necessarily those of this website.