These are the victims in Charleston.

[1confused1]

So so sad.

[underwaterrhymes]

Jun 18, 2015 14:22:19 GMT -5 Maud said:

Jun 18, 2015 14:11:26 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Although I do think gun violence needs to be a part of the discussion, this is what this is really about right here.

Well, sure, racism is the root of this specific mass shooting but mass shootings can only happen because of guns. And they happen here so much more than anywhere else in the developed world, and there is plenty of racism elsewhere.

Quote from Obama's press conference today: "I've had to make statements like this too many times. At some point we as a country will have to reckon with the fact that this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries."

Everytime one of these tragedies happens here people comment "there are no words", "I don't know what to say" etc. and then it all quietens down until the next time. Rinse and repeat. It's so fucking tragic.

I agree regarding the gun violence. Absolutely. This conversation needs to take place and we need laws to change.

But THIS particular conversation also needs to focus on the racism that led it to happen.

It's not that these poor people weren't safe from gun violence in their church. It's that they weren't free from a racist asshole who prayed with them and then mowed them down in their own fucking church.

And - as usual - there is a real discrepancy between the way the media overall, as well people on social media, are reacting to this. The fact that Fox News is saying this is a war on Christianity should tell you something right there.

Please, yes, let's do something about our gun laws.

But let's also do something about this pervasive racism and not ignore the fact that this guy didn't do this because he had access to guns. He did this because he was a piece of shit racist asshole who happened to have access to guns.

[sandpiper]

Absolutely heartbreaking. Thanks for posting.

[hopecounts]

Jun 18, 2015 14:47:32 GMT -5 puddleofgrace said:

Every day I wake up more and more afraid for the children of this world.

Thank you for sharing. What a tragic loss of life...and for what?

Supposedly a 5 yr old survived by playing dead. The fact that a 5 yr old knew enough to do that because this is so damn common is just shameful.

We live in a country that could and should do better. 
When Dunblane happened UK changed their laws, how many of these have occurred in the US and yet we still can't get even reasonable gun control passed. 

[Alwaysabridesmaidf]

This is all so very heartbreaking. It renews my passion for raising my baby to be a kind, caring and compassionate person who loves all people. It's disgusting that this sort of hatred (that we have seen so much of) exists. I wish we could just wipe out the racism and start over. There is just so much of it. Where do we start?! Fuck. Let's just move to mars and start our own world.

[happyholiday]

So heartbreaking. There are no adequate words for this.

[bittybomb]

This breaks my hurt so so much. 

What the fuck is wrong with people? How do you become so evil?

[sequins]

I'm so so sorry this happened. Such a terrible tragedy

[memenee]

Oh this is so very sad. I was only able to read the first one, maybe I'll go back and read the rest sometime but that was just too much. The first woman profiled was beatiful with a beautiful family and was only 45. Heartbreaking. Thoughts to her family and all the others.

[ginger]

It's heartbreaking. I just don't understand such hate.