CHARLESTON, S.C. – In an emotional eulogy for the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, President Obama on Friday brought more than 5,000 worshippers to their feet by leading a chorus of “Amazing Grace,” while calling for racial healing to honor the nine victims of the horrific church massacre here last week.
One of the first moves in that direction, said the president, would be removal of the Confederate flag from state houses.
“It’s true, the flag did not cause these murders,” Obama said, but “we all have to acknowledge the flag has always represented more than just ancestral pride. For many, black and white, that flag was a reminder of systemic oppression and racial subjugation. We see that now.”
“By taking down that flag,” he added, “we express God’s grace. But I don’t think God wants us to stop there.”
Pinckney, a 41-year-old pastor and state senator, was among the victims killed by a hate-spewing gunman during a bible a bible study in the Emanuel African Methodist Church.
In a rousing speech, Obama pointed to past injustices as shaping present disparities in poverty, schools and the criminal justice system.
He said subtle prejudices cause employers to “call Johnny back for a job interview but not Jamal,’ drawing his biggest applause of the day.
Mourners bow their heads in prayer during the service.Getty ImagesPinckney was remembered during the five-hour service for his deep faith and unwavering compassion – from getting an elevator installed at his church so the elderly can worship in the sanctuary to fighting for assistance for the poor and those suffering from HIV.
Malana Pinckney, the Rev. Pinckney’s daughter, is hugged by her mother, Jennifer, at the start of her father’s funeral.Reuters“Sen. Pinckney’s last act as a Christian and as a senator was to open his doors to someone he did not know,” said State Sen. Gerald Malloy. “… Let us not close the doors that Sen. Pinckney gave his life to open.”
Dylann Roof, the white 21-year-old charged with the murders, toted the Confederate flag and preached white supremacy. He was welcomed into the bible study group and sat with the churchgoers for an hour before shooting them to death.
The racism-fueled murders in a sacred place of worship jarred the nation, including the commander-in-chief, and sparked a bipartisan national debate about removing the Confederate flag and other symbols of inequality.
“It would be a betrayal of everything Reverend Pinckney stood for if we allowed ourselves to slip into a comfortable silence again,” Obama said.
His 38-minute speech sounded more like sermon.
Obama wove in scripture, recalled the storied history of sanctuary of the black church and shocked many when he broke out in “Amazing Grace,”
Afterward, the pastor leading ceremonies referred to Obama as “the Reverend President.”
There were tears Friday. But inside the packed TD Arena there was also rejoicing, singing and celebration – led by the gospel church choir and pastors who sought to transform the basketball arena into a sanctuary of worship.
“Someone should have told the young man, he wanted to start a race war but he came to the wrong place,” the Rev. John Richard Bryant said of the gunman, drawing cheers.
Instead of race war, what Roof sparked was unity. People of all stripes joined in forgiveness – led by the example of families of the victims who in a striking demonstration of faith forgave Roof in his first court appearance.
“Hate won’t win,” pledged Wanda Simmons, granddaughter of victim Daniel Simmons.
Some were still in disbelief.
“I can’t believe somebody could do something like this – to have so much hate in you,” said Delfane Coaxum, who knew Pinckney as a member of nearby Greater Goodwill AME Church in Mount Pleasant.
“In the house of God – to worship with us and then take the pastor’s life and take all these people’s lives– I was very hurt, but I learned to forgive you learn to forgive.
“God said you have to be forgiving. But it’s hard. But we stand together,” Coaxum, 60, added.
A bipartisan delegation of federal and state lawmakers filled an arena section, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who received a standing ovation. House Speaker John Boehner made his first Air Force 1 trip with Obama to come to Charleston.
Lines stretched far around the arena to hear Obama. Some arrived as early as 3:30 a.m. to get a seat.
“We are people of peace,” said Jeannette Lee, 70, who knew Pinckney through worship. “…We all are God’s children.”
