'Tell the world what happened': SC white gunman SPARED one woman to spread news of massacre

[Surya Gayatri]

Charleston SC killer let one woman escape so she could tell the world what happened while a child survived by playing dead.


Manhunt: A huge manhunt ensued with officers wearing bullet-proof vests and carrying guns; the gunman was still at large at 2am

* The white gunman opened fire at the historic Emanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina killing nine people

* He let one woman escape so she could tell the world what happened while a child survived by playing dead

* Charleston Police say the gunman is still at large and are hunting him down after he opened fire in the church

* Police chief Gregory Mullen confirmed there were nine fatalities at the church in the city's downtown

* Mullen also said he believes the shooting was a hate crime, he said there are survivors but has not given a number

* Among the dead is Rev. Clementa Pinckney, pastor of the church and South Carolina state senator


Prayer Circle: Here, a group of several men are seen standing in a circle in front of a hotel near the church for an impromptu prayer service

According to Dot Scott, president of the Charleston NAACP, a female survivor told her family members the gunman came into the church at around 9pm.

Mr Scott told the Post and Courier that he told the woman she could escape and said he was letting her live so she could tell the world what happened.


Tragedy: Local residents and church members embraced and consoled one another in the hours following the incident, the police chief described the incident as a 'senseless, unfathomable' tragedy

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3129109/Multiple-people-injured-South-Carolina-church-shooting.html
__________________

Sounds like a terrorist's MO to me, the objective being to terrorize the targeted population as widely and as thoroughly as possible.

But don't hold your breath expecting this Faux News headline: White on Black Terrorism a Reality in the US.

[joshcryer]

1. Pic of suspect and car:

This guy is the epitome of evil. I hope he gets caught soon.

[Surya Gayatri]

2. I'm blown away by the civil and reasoned response of the SC black community.

If it was the opposite scenario, i.e. black guy shooting up white church (which you will NEVER see, FWIW), there would already be a hord of white vigilantes roaming the streets, armed to the teeth and out for black blood.

[Surya Gayatri]

4. And you think the racist cops killing unarmed black people are just a few bad apples......RIIIIIGHT!

'Nutty outliers'...indeed.

Welcome to DU and enjoy your sure-to-be brief stay.

[joshcryer]

7. Who said killer cops were sane?

They historically recruit low IQ authoritarians...

[Surya Gayatri]

10. Racism is a form of mental aberration or 'illness' if you will.

[joshcryer]

12. I can't disagree with that.

But I think it's by design.

[HereSince1628]

37. The APA does not recognize racism as a mental disorder.

When it was proposed as such 40 years ago it was rejected because....hold on to your chair... racism was so common as to be considered culturally normative. Racist (sexist, homophobic, Islamophobic, etc) and other hateful attitudes when common don't rise to deviance.

When you make the appeal that racism is mental disorder, you have to able to attach that in a meaningful way to mental disorders, or it's nothing more than a stigmatizing statement based on the notion that the mentally disordered are generally dangerous people. They aren't.

The best argument I've seen put forward for racism and bigotry as mental disorder was published in a medical journal over ten years ago. That article suggests that racism as manifest in extreme behavior (mass killing surely must fit there) --may-- be an expression of delusional thinking, often connected to obsessions about assumed threats posed by the existence of the target ethnicity/race.

Delusional thinking can be a symptom in a number of mental disorders. But the diagnoses that begs are likely to fall into different labels and must be made case by case rather than as a generality and it must be differentiated into forms and ranges of severity.

Resolution of cases of racism as mental disorder, even if built upon delusion requires specifics rather than generality.

[Surya Gayatri]

39. The APA has just dropped another notch in my book...

... racism was so common as to be considered culturally normative. Racist (sexist, homophobic, Islamophobic, etc) and other hateful attitudes when common don't rise to deviance.

So, sick racism has to reach the lethal and deadly level before even being classified as 'delusional'? ???

[HereSince1628]

44. Yes, but do remember that was 40 years ago.

Also keep in mind that deviant behavior isn't of necessity a consequence of mental disorder...it's just behavior that's not close to the mainstream.

Totalitarian states have relied heavily upon deviance to essentially jail political dissidents in asylums. Consequently, in the West, deviance as an indicator of mental disorder is quite suspect

[KittyWampus]

58. I did not know this. It garners a lot of thought.

At some future date, I'd love to have a debate on DU whether racism can be called a mental disorder.

[HereSince1628]

59. Just to be clear, I don't think it is a mental disorder, per se.

I think the argument that for some people racist extremism/violence involves delusional thinking may have some traction.

I think for many people racism and bigotry are culturally acquired belief systems built on common and vulgar misconceptions and culturally pervassive prejudices that promote the privileges inherent in what they see as the 'natural order' of things.

[KittyWampus]

60. we could look at what part of the brain is activated when people are reacting in racist fashion-

my proposition would be that some people because of cultural conditioning are much more prone to reptilian (lower brain) functioning. It tends to dominate more than higher brain functions. Thus, things are more commonly seen as threats. Fear is a primary reaction.

The stimulus to this may be cultural. There may be an element of biological determination.

But it is treatable.

Going to think more about it.

[JTFrog]

66. There was a study recently done by Northwestern University that suggests racist and sexist prejudice

can be "un-learned" through sleep therapy.

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/05/you-can-cure-your-cultural-intolerance-while-you-sleep-study/

Results showed that this technique was able to produce changes in people’s subconscious prejudices and reduce the scores of sexual and racial bias. However, these changes lasted no longer than a week.

According to Paller, the results open up a completely new possibility of using sleep as a tool for learning. Sleep is different because we're processing that information without new information coming in, at least not very much," he said. "So that might be a particularly conducive time for working with the memories and relating them to each other, and improving the storage and how information is integrated with other information you've learned."

While the results are interesting, it’s not likely that sleep training is going to be widely used to reverse prejudices because, according to Paller, there are ethical factors to take into consideration. However, if this current ethical factors are addressed, then technique could serve as the basis for a way to modify individual unconscious biases and prejudices.

[rpannier]

8. The Faux Spews crew has appeared at DU

Expect that (or something very similar) to be the topic at Faux

[Surya Gayatri]

14. Never read or watch Fox--can't get Faux Spews here in Europe.

You're right, though, the 'lone-wolf outlier' talking point is being sent to all RW outlets as we speak.

[rpannier]

18. Fortunately I can't get it in Korea either

[joshcryer]

5. Thinking a Gabby Giffords redux + some racism.

I think the perp is unhinged. He needs to be caught as fast as possible.

[pangaia]

30. You THINK the perp is unhinged?

Anybody who kills 9 people like that is 'unhinged.'

[LanternWaste]

49. Precious salt for the wounds of the dead and grieving.

Precious salt for the wounds of the dead and grieving.

[daleanime]

52. Maybe you could.....

point a couple out for us.

[niyad]

63. what toppings on your pizza?

[malaise]

6. One more narcissistic terrorist

I heard that there were other survivors so he failed big time.

Fuck this terrorist.

[Surya Gayatri]

9. Yeah, he wasn't thorough enough. Didn't get the little girl and some people in the back office.

God damn his white hide and terrorist soul.

[Skidmore]

15. I think they know his identity.

That picture is pretty distinctive. And they keep saying his age is 21, which is pretty specific. I think they know who he is.

How many times have we heard from various groups that they seek to start a race war? Who is more easily manipulated than someone who already believes they have an ax to grind?

Now more than ever we need to stand up. I don't care what color your skin is. We need to stand up.

[In_The_Wind]

11. May they rest in peace.

[Surya Gayatri]

13. The innocent are always at peace. It's their devastated families and friends who are suffering.

[bigtree]

16. .

[maryellen99]

17. I wonder if the cop who killed Walter Scott being charged was a motive

It's being said that the murdered pastor was the one providing spiritual guidance and counseling to Walter Scott's family.

[Surya Gayatri]

19. Yeah, what brought the white domestic terrorist to that specific church...?

[secondwind]

20. The Rev. had been to a Hillary function earlier in the day. n/t

[Surya Gayatri]

21. Another 'damn librul' targeted by a domestic terrorist--or just blacks in general?

[AllyCat]

22. This is horrible. Hope they catch this terrorist soon.

[Surya Gayatri]

24. Will the Charleston authorities be calling in the big guns, i.e. FBI, Homeland Security, etc.?

After all, this IS a case of domestic, homegrown terrorism.

[AllyCat]

26. Probably not. I wish I could believe they would

Recognize this as terrorism. I doubt they will. Will anyone call for it on the teevee?

[alcibiades_mystery]

28. FBI is already involved and has been since last night

This was covered in the police chiefs news conference of last night. I believe he mentioned other federal agencies as well.

[Surya Gayatri]

29. Well, well, so black lives DO matter, then. Or does the FBI automatically

step in in mass killings?

[alcibiades_mystery]

31. The police chief stated that the FBI was involved due to the scope of the investigation

and then suggested that they may also be there because the murders could be classified as a federal hate crime.

I suspect the FBI becomes involved immediately for mass shootings, though, as you say - and especially so when the killer/terrorist remains at large.

[Duppers]

23. Early am CNN Headline: "Hate Crime Against Religion"

I swear! "Against Religion"



Who here thinks this was against religion? And why would CNN headline the crime in such a matter if they're not Fux light? They've since dropped this scroll.

[Surya Gayatri]

25. CNN beat O'Reilly to the punch...

See here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026855921

[Duppers]

27. Yep, got that right.

We all know why this happened.

[lostnfound]

32. Must be those dumbass atheists accusing Christians of raping their women again

That was the comment from the dumbass shooter. "I gotta do this cuz you're raping our women and are taking over our country.."

[Duppers]

34. I know.

When that shooter in Knoxville, TN walked into a Unitarian Church some years ago, they tried to frame the headline the same way for about an hour or two until they learned it was a Unitarian Church full of agnostics.

[mercuryblues]

33. OMG

The Pastor was also a Democratic state senator.

http://scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1479545277


I have no words. The families. The heartache they all must be feeling is just to overwhelming.

[Surya Gayatri]

35. The hopelessness they must feel...nowhere is safe, nowhere is secure.

Gunned down in the middle of their prayers.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

36. .....

Clementa Pinkey..... Oh no....SC and everyone who wants to stand up to racism needs her.

Of course sick ignorant racists would target her.

[Keefer]

61. Him.

He was a he.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

62. Oh, dear...I was confusing him with the woman who promised to pursue a different murder

by cop.

I can't remember the names now.
Clementa sounded like a woman's name, and I jumped to a conclusion.

Thank you.

[sulphurdunn]

38. Someone hopes this will lead to further bloodshed.

It is time for government to crackdown on all of these supremacist monsters wherever they hide. It is time to drag their aiders and abetters in media and politics from behind the shield of the First Amendment and into courtrooms. Goddamn them all to hell.

[Surya Gayatri]

40. Goddamn them all to hell.

[bullwinkle428]

41. The "sparing one victim" thing is straight out of the movie "Natural Born Killers",

if anyone recalls that movie from the 90s starring Woddy Harrelson, where he played the serial/mass murderer...

Very despondent K&R.

[Surya Gayatri]

43. Yeah, I'm almost ashamed to see this OP creeping up the greatest page.

Why oh why does it only 'lead when it bleeds'?

If I were a black Charlestonian today, I swear I'd be ready to take up arms and go on a little vigilante mission of my own.

[niyad]

64. don't forget that posts are also rec'ed for visibility, not because of agreement with the subject.

[Surya Gayatri]

65. I know, niyad. But, I just like to see something positive and uplifting posted now and then...

spiritually nourishing, ya know? But, I suspect that's asking a lot from a POLITICAL forum. LOL!

[niyad]

67. well, you can always post the positive and the uplifting when you find it.

[Surya Gayatri]

71. I do, I do--animal pieces and beautiful scenery...but DU is

after all a reflection of the wider media world, where happy stories rarely run on page one.

[AtheistCrusader]

42. Horrifying.

Sometimes, there really are monsters in the world.

[bonniebgood]

45. Albert Einstein called racism "a disease of white people"

http://www.openculture.com/2013/08/albert-einstein-civil-rights-activist.html. I'm sure i can get kicked off this cite for quoting this. We as a country really need to reorganize this. In History, You don't see Black people going around shooting up white churches. Disgusting on so many levels. Watch for faux News to start a 'go fund me page' for this terrorist.

[Surya Gayatri]

46. Yes, a 'go fund me page' to pay for only the best legal counsel--looking to get him off

on 'temporary insanity'.

[Dont call me Shirley]

48. It's gone...

"clicked a link to http://www.openculture.com/2013/08/albert-einstein-civil-rights-activist.html. but it does not seem to exist. An administrator has been emailed about this problem, too. You can click your browser's back arrow and try again or search for what you're looking for:"

[Dont call me Shirley]

47. Reverend/Senator Pinckney and the 8 victims...

Please, stop the killing, stop the violence

In honor of the victims begin to love your neighbor as yourself. Peace, Love, Honor.

[Surya Gayatri]

51. As I said somewhere up thread, I'm gratified and humbled by

the Charleston blacks' restrained dignity and display of civility.

The church elders pictured in the above photo are really practicing what they preach.

[Dont call me Shirley]

53. They are the example of what is good in this world. Good must become the way to be in this world

The "Being bad is cool" thought virus has got to be vaccinated into non-existence.

[Surya Gayatri]

55. Beautifully expressed, DCMS!

'...vaccinated into non-existence with the vaccine of unconditional love and universal respect.'

[Dont call me Shirley]

68. Thank you, Surya Gayatri! Like I was just telling my husband...

The rubbish pile of lies we were taught about ourselves from society must be heaved off to find the silver lining of our truth, which is goodness (Unconditional and Universal Love and Respect).

[Rex]

50. Was this a political assassination? Hate crime yes, but more than just a hate crime?

Was the Senator targeted for his standing in office? I hope they take this guy alive so we can get some answers. Probably a KKK or White Identity Movement member. The comment he left is an old racist canard.

[Butterbean]

54. I am just so infuriated and horrified by this whole thing.

I saw this on the news this morning and my heart just dropped. My first instinct was wanting to reach into the screen and pummel that little shit. Not exactly a peaceful, nonviolent, helpful reaction, I know. But there it is. I hope justice is swift, and it had better fucking be. That is all.

[Surya Gayatri]

57. Amen...'I hope justice is swift, and it had better f-ing be. That is all.'

[Calista241]

56. Apparently, the murderer spent an hour in the church talking with them before the killing began.

I cannot imagine the horror.

[Surya Gayatri]

72. He sat and studied and prayed with them for a hour

before blowing them away.

See here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026856960

[bettyellen]

69. His parents should be begging that poor woman for forgiveness.

But it's more likely they will blame all their woes on black folk.

[Surya Gayatri]

70. He very likely got his grounding in racism and hatred at their knee.

Liberal and loving parents tend not to produce hate-filled, violent children.