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Racist Imagery at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston – July 3, 2015

Racist Imagery at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston - July 3, 2015Our family made a pilgrimage to Mother Emanuel AME Zion Church in Charleston, SC today to pay our respects to those who lost their lives in the senseless, racist terrorist attack just two weeks ago.Among the dozens of flowers and other tributes that line the front gate, I saw this stuffed monkey. Some may say I'm overreacting, but where I come from, this is well known racist imagery. What I see is a monkey being lynched right in front of this house of worship where the whole world is mourning. Someone wanted to add insult to our injury. Someone spit on the graves of our murdered brothers and sisters here.I'm not sure how many people have noticed this, but as soon as I saw it, I understood the message. This brings me so much sadness and disappointment. In this place where so many people of all races are coming to honor the lives we lost here, some evil hearted soul used the opportunity to perpetuate the hatred. Happy Birthday, America. It is clear to me that we have a very long way to go.#motheremanuel #emanuelamezion #charleston #racistimagery #blacklivesmatter #Happy4thofjuly #terrorism #welcometoamerica
Our family made a pilgrimage to Mother Emanuel AME Zion Church in Charleston, SC today to pay our respects to those who lost their lives in the senseless, racist terrorist attack just two weeks ago.Among the dozens of flowers and other tributes that line the front gate, I saw this stuffed monkey.

Some may say I’m overreacting, but where I come from, this is well known racist imagery. What I see is a monkey being lynched right in front of this house of worship where the whole world is mourning. Someone wanted to add insult to our injury. Someone spit on the graves of our murdered brothers and sisters here.I’m not sure how many people have noticed this, but as soon as I saw it, I understood the message.

This brings me so much sadness and  disappointment. In this place where so many people of all races are coming to honor the lives we lost here, some evil hearted soul used the opportunity to perpetuate the hatred. Happy Birthday, America. It is clear to me that we have a very long way to go.

#motheremanuel #emanuelamezion #charleston #racistimagery #blacklivesmatter #Happy4thofjuly #terrorism #welcometoamerica

© Nadir Omowale