What Is the “Meaning” of the Charleston Church Shooting?

Probably nothing at all.  That’s a frustrating and unsatisfactory answer for many, and that is understandable.  Faced with horrific acts, we want to know why – in the hope that “it” can be stopped from happening again.  But the hope is almost always forlorn.  

Evil exists.  Hate exists.  As does murderous intent.  Always has, always will.  These are blunt facts of life. 

Yet it seems that heinous acts, for many, must be “explained”, rather than accepted for what they are, the dark side of human nature.  Some blame our culture or America’s past.  Some are sincere, others have political motives.

But the Charleston shooting was not a reminder of the racial scars still plaguing America for its history of slavery nor a reason for gun control measures. 

The twenty-one year old killer is simply one of life’s losers – a 9^th grade high school drop-out with a drug habit and a criminal record – the sort who blames the world (in this case, blacks) for his failures.  His conduct is no more reflective of the state of race relations in South Carolina, or elsewhere, than does the fact that an evil black person from Baltimore assassinated two police officers in New York City a few months ago.

Out of the tragedy come several bright notes which contradict the pessimistic narratives being promulgated by the usual media culprits.

 

Seemingly the entire Charleston community – of all colors – has joined in mourning the black victims.  And the person responsible for the white killer’s apprehension is a middle-aged white woman who’s accent marks her as a native of the deep south. 

It’s nice to see this reaffirmation of the good side of human nature.