I express my sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of those tragically killed on Saturday. The community at large is hurting. The shooting was another extreme example of racial hatred that must be appreciated and recognized as such.This is obviously an extreme and deranged example of hate. We must recognize it for the destructive and devastating effect that it has on our way of life. Our community is made up of many threads that are intertwined. The threads have the potential to make our life a better place to live. Yet, when a thread is twisted or cut, it weakens the safe and comfortable fabric that keeps us warm and secure.While personal opinions on varying issues are a part of the society that we have built, those opinions that serve to denigrate other races, insult unfamiliar cultures, criticize legitimate religious beliefs, or attack those based on their national origin, sexual orientation, or gender - require careful thought.Words matter. It’s not just about being politically correct. It is about recognizing that the way you phrase your words or opinions, may in fact come from a place of hate or ignorance.If so, see it before you say it.Recently I heard someone say - after passing an unkempt property with long grass and weeds - “foreigners’ don’t take care of their property.” It simply isn’t a fair criticism of where the owner may have come from because, for example, many property owners, no matter their nationality, creed, color, or gender, Caucasian-American or otherwise, may also fail at the same thing. It’s simply a baseless attack on a culture or a group of people who have nothing to do with that particular complaint.We know that attacking others based on race or religion is cruel. So why does it keep happening over and over again? Those with weak minds and no soul are the triggers for tragedy. Let’s have less hatred, less prejudice, and more soul.

In Memoriam:

Aaron Salter, 55

Pamela Pritchett, 55

Ruth Whitfield, 86

Andre Mackneil, 53

Heyward Patterson, 67

Roberta Drury, 32

Geraldine Talley, 62

Katherine Massey, 72

Celestine Chaney, 65

Margus Morrison, 52