Did Cynthia Hurd, the librarian, greet the white boy with a smile? Did Myra Thompson look up from her preparations to lead the Bible study, and nod at the young visitor? I wonder if Sharonda Singleton, who coached high school track detected the unease of the young man. We know they made him feel welcome. He shot them dead in return.
On vacation in the Virgin Islands my husband and I attended the Memorial Moravian Church in Charlotte Amalie. This is a historic congregation not unlike Emanuel AME in Charleston. We’d been looking in at the architecture of the sanctuary when a member of their youth group struck up a conversation and invited us to attend on Sunday.
What a beautiful service it was, the singing, the swaying, the hats, visiting youth from other islands, little boys in ties. We were the only white faces. We were made completely welcome. Our hands grasped and cheerful inquires made for folks we might have in common back in our Minnesota home.
I did not earn that welcome. I don’t know if it will be different if we go back, after the killing in Charleston. I know that white folks have been counting on this hospitality for years. Perhaps it’s time for us to return the favor and welcome people of color with even half that grace. Or, if not that, at least not kill the ones who make you welcome.