Carol Anne Costa: State of Grace

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Carol Ann Costa GoLocalProv MINDSETTER

 

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As I write this column, thousands of South Carolinians are filing past the body of the slain South Carolina Senator, The Reverend Clementa Pinckney, as he lies in state amidst the trappings of the South Carolina State House. A live webcam captures the throngs of people passing by; some pray, some wipe away tears, some salute and some simply walk past his casket, flanked by South Carolina Troopers and in the company of his family and colleagues from the General Assembly. The people who pass are of all colors and ethnicities, they are young and old, they are healthy and infirm but more, they represent a state which in the face of the brutal and hateful murders of nine people in a church, have remained full of grace. Christian theology, defines grace in part as, “the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it.” I contend, what we do with it is solely up to us.

Preacher - Shepherd - Pastor -Senator

Reverend Pickney was the Pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church or Mother Emanuel as it is known, is one of the oldest churches in the South. Mother Emanuel has survived, struggled and thrived through America’s most controversial and violent times including the civil war. Reverend Pickney was a shepherd in a church on a Wednesday evening teaching bible study to a flock of eight lambs; lambs who welcomed the raging beast in the guise of a boy, who would slaughter them in cold blood. Another heinous crime we must face as citizens and fellow humans; while concurrently contemplating the anger, grief and reality of these shocking events. This crime, once again forces us to examine mental health, access to guns and the motivations of hate speech and racist filled symbols. And, here is where the people of South Carolina have demonstrated tremendous grace in the face of tragedy. The loved ones representing nine victims reacted to their losses directly from the prayer book of Reverend Pinckney, as they lived the Gospel through forgiveness and peace; a testament to Pinckney and the work done at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Right now, Mother Emanuel Church is planning the “going home services” for the nine victims of this crime, they are: Reverend Clementa Pinckney, Reverend Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Sister Cynthia Graham Hurd, Sister Susie Jackson, Sister Ethel Lance, Reverend DePayne V. Middleton-Doctor, Brother Tywanza Sanders, Reverend Dr. Daniel L. Simmons, and Sister Myra Thompson.

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The Power of Forgiveness

It was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”  I was reminded of Dr. King and his Christian values, as I watched in real time, the arraignment of the killer, his childlike face broadcast on a closed circuit TV.  He was being addressed by loved ones of the victims, the first words, “I forgive you” uttered through sobs from off camera, were shocking and only hammered home the Gospel message. These people live the words of Jesus Christ.  The individual and collective grace and faith based values on display for the world to observe have reaped stunning and swift movements against hate, racism and violence, which violent protests have never achieved. South Carolina is indeed a State of Grace.   

It is clear to me that the man who was Reverend Clementa Pinckney was a force. Called to preach at 13 years old his life represented service to God, family and country. But, it is in the descriptions of his peaceful and peacemaking personality described by so many of his colleagues in the South Carolina General Assembly we find the fullness of his faith and obvious gift to pass along to his congregation and co workers alike. His demeanor exhibited through his church members in courtroom, as they faced and forgave the murderer, setting a tone that cast aside violence and promoted the principles of true justice.

The shadow of the Confederate battle flag flies over the South Carolina State House, even as the body of Senator Pinckney lies in repose. It flies as nine families prepare to bury their dead. Soon enough the debate over the flag will happen. Lines will be drawn, sides will be taken and Democracy will prevail. I am confident the good people of South Carolina through their elected leaders will vote to remove the flag. I am supremely confident the state of Grace that is South Carolina is will provide a model for change in a way that continues to exhibit grace in the face of hate.  Rest in Peace, Mother Emanuel's Nine.

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Carol Anne Costa is a public relations and community outreach specialist; she has experience in both the public and private sectors. She is the Chairwoman of the Scituate Democratic Town Committee and has extensive community affairs and public relations experience. She previously served in the Rhode Island Judiciary for nearly 17 years. Carol also enjoyed a successful development stint at the Diocese of Providence as Associate Director for Catholic Education and is currently the Executive Director of the Warren Housing Authority. Her work has been published in several local outlets including GoLocal, Valley Breeze, The Rhode Island Catholic, and Currents Magazine.

 

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