The recent violence perpetrated upon Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina was sickening. It seems as though our country is constantly regressing instead of progressing. Acts such as these continue to pour salt on the gaping gash of racial tension. Individually, we must ask ourselves if we are the ones “buying the salt” to pour on the wound. Indeed, this particular act was racially motivated. But all of us must bear in mind that evil is colorblind.

When tragedies such as this occur, many of us console ourselves saying it was “only by grace that it was not me” or someone we knew. But have we ever said to ourselves, “It is only by grace that I was not the perpetrator?” Have we ever said, “It is only by grace that it was not someone I knew or thought I knew who was the perpetrator?”

Just as evil is colorblind, racism — a type of evil — does not isolate itself with one ethic group. Hate is hate, regardless of the pigmentation of the person it is coming from, directed to or the reason from which it originated. And while I find what this young man did deplorable, disgusting and despicable, I also find those — of any race — who perpetuate racism by stereotyping, innuendo and other vile acts just as reprehensible.

All of us should take an objective examination of ourselves concerning racism. Many of us will find that we need to do more to help ease racial tensions.

Simply tolerating each other will not solve our racial issues. I also know that not openly, truthfully and civilly discussing the issue will only further exacerbate the wound. And I know that as long as people in one ethnic group continue to blame the other while exonerating their own and others’ bigoted behavior, we, as individuals, as a community and as a country, will never truly progress in a positive manner.

WILLIAM C. ARCHER

Ashland

The writer is pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Doswell.