According to witnesses, the suspect stood up and said he was there "to shoot black people." A survivor told other media outlets that the shooter said, "You rape our women and you're taking over our country. And you have to go."
The suspect killed six women and three men. Among them was Sharonda Singleton, a teacher and track coach at GCHS. Her son, Chris, played baseball for GCHS and now for CSU.
At first, Charleston rallied together but now folks from outside our city are trying their best to tear us apart.
We were on vacation in Maggie Valley. I just started crying when I saw the news online. This tragedy happened only months after an unarmed black man was shot by a white cop in North Charleston. Then some sick dude duct taped a dog's mouth shut. Then this. And eight years ago, 9 firefighters died in Charleston on June 16.
I've taken so many things for granted in my life. I never thought evil like this would happen here. I've also stopped going to church. All of this has made me realized that I need to get going with my life and stop trying to please others. I will never please them, especially my Dad and Mom. I've got to do what I need to do.
I've got to get stronger emotionally, physically, and mentally. I want to be as healthy as possible until I drop dead. I don't want to be confined to a chair, unable to climb stairs, with nothing better to do but complain.
To get stronger physically: I've been going to boot camp and I did water aerobics last night which I really liked. I'm going to try to cook healthier meals and only buy healthy food for the house. If Joey or the kids want something else, they will need to get it.
To get stronger emotionally: I will try to pray about my decisions and ask God for his will. Even if I don't know the answer, I will trust that he is guiding me on the right path. I will no longer get mad at Him and curse Him. That's not what God is. He's not a genie, he is my Savior. And he has made me to do His will.
To get stronger mentally: I need to do what is best for me. I can't do what everyone else expects me to do, including this crappy job.
