Seven years later, the Charleston Nine remind us of how racism and violence need swift action

Hello, fam!

I hope everyone in Knoxville enjoyed the Juneteenth holiday!

I spent my weekend working, but it was work I was honored to do. I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, on assignment with other USA TODAY Network reporters to help cover the anniversary of the Charleston Nine mass shooting.

Seven years ago, nine church members lives were snatched from them inside Mother Emanuel AME Church in what is known as one of the worst mass shootings and racist attacks in recent history.

The Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the Rev. Dan Simmons Sr., Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders and Myra Thompson lost their lives that day.

I remember the tragedy like it was yesterday. I remember President Barack Obama giving a moving speech and singing "Amazing Grace" for the Rev. Pinckney, who lost his life after he welcomed shooter Dylan Roof with open arms for Bible study that evening.

I remember how our country was so devastated by the attack and how Black people felt when it happened. But I never thought that, years later, I would stand inside the same church, reporting on it.

While I have traveled to Charleston and seen the outside of the church, being inside was a different feeling.

It was moving, it was sacred and, at the same time, haunting.

It gave me even more appreciation for the survivors and their courage to stand inside that same sanctuary displaying such grace, and for some, forgiveness.

Church members, congressmen, clergy and those from the community took part in a National Bible Study that aired nationwide to commemorate the victims.

As I spoke with community members, church members and activists about their thoughts and feelings on the tragedy, I found one common theme: Immediate action is needed to quell racism and mass shootings.

One church member who has led a life of activism since that day, Marlena Davis, told me she's disappointed by the lack of change. She proclaimed during a rally that televised services and prayer memorials are nice, but they aren't enough. She told the crowd she was more grateful for the average people outside who never forgot the nine people who were murdered inside of the church after the media coverage went away. She gave recognition to those who were working with boots on the ground to make a change to stand against racism, including those who continue to stand up against displays of the Confederate flag on Charleston's Battery.

Seven years later, we're grappling with two other mass shootings, one that targeted Black people in a Buffalo grocery store, the other that left two teachers and 19 children, mostly Hispanic, dead in an elementary school.

So as I stood there listening outside of the church to all of those Black voices, all I could think is that Marlena is absolutely right.

Stay tuned for this story in the weeks to come.

Knoxville didn't forget Freedom Day this weekend. Check out images from this year's Juneteenth parade and a piece from reporter Devarrick Turner on how food honors our ancestors and freedom.

Also check out reporting on the latest progress from our new Police Chief Paul Noel as he shakes up the internal affairs structure and uniforms rules in an effort to change the department's culture.

As always send me your thoughts, feedback and story ideas and I will catch you all next week!

Angela Dennis is the Knox News social justice, race and equity reporter. You can reach her by email at angela.dennis@knoxnews.com or by phone at 865-407-9712. Follow her on Twitter @AngeladWrites; Instagram @angeladenniswrites; and Facebook at Angela Dennis Journalist.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Charleston Nine remind us of how racism and violence need swift action