A Special Kind of Hate

As a Unitarian (read secular humanist) the church shooting at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church really effected me in a way that no other public shooting has. At first it was the context, the fact that these people were watching a children's interpretation of the play Annie, that made this crime so heinous.

But when I read the killer's motive for killing 2 churchgoers and wounding seven others, it sent a new chill down my spine. He said he chose this church because of its support of the liberal progressive movement and civil rights, specifically citing his hatred of blacks and gays.

Sure, this happened in Tennessee. But I think this has implications for all of us. We talk a lot about how this country is ready for a black president, and I think it is. But this is just one rude reminder that there is still a lot of work to be done.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008