What should we do in response to the Charleston massacre?

We should let this tragic, traumatic massacre serve this generation of Africans as the generation that lived through the tragic lynching and execution of Emmett Till in Money, Miss., and the four little girls in Birmingham, Ala., were served by those events.  Those brutal killings were among a series of tragic events that inspired a generation and nation to action. 

We must become actively involved in the struggle to create a society that lives up to its pronouncements. We must join existing organizations or create new ones that will work to ensure that we are treated humanely and civilly.

We must speak up, stand up and speak out. That act of terrorism was meant to instill fear in us. We must not allow the perpetrator to be successful. We must be successful and determined to lift our voices against all injustices. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. 

My phones have been ringing with people asking how can they become involved in the struggle. Instead of causing a civil war or race war, the assassin has incited an awakening among African people. Each of us must make a contribution to create a new paradigm that all human life has value. The onus is on us!

KING SALIM KHALFANI

Richmond

The writer is a former executive director of the Virginia State Conferecne NAACP.