Charleston, S.C. Should Receive Nobel Peace Prize Consideration
In an industry that is flooded with different views on controversial issues, I pride myself with being original.
Although I try to always think outside the box and go against the grain, sometimes other people have such good opinions that all I can do is piggyback off of their brilliance and reinforce their message.
Dylann Roof tried to start a race war with his cowardly acts of mass murder against the pastor and eight congregants of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. But his heinous acts were met instead with peace, unity and the possible removal of the divisive Confederate flag.
On Monday, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” panelists stated that the city of Charleston, S.C. should receive consideration for the next Nobel Peace Prize.
I am by no means an expert on the Nobel Peace Prize, but if ever there was an instance where an entire community should be celebrated it should be the people of Charleston. S.C.
According to NobelPeacePrize.org, “The Nobel Peace Prize is an international prize which is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee according to guidelines laid down by Alfred Nobel’s will.”
The will stated, “The whole of my remaining realisable estate shall be disposed of in the following way: the capital, invested in safe securities by my executors, shall constitute a fund, the interest on which shall be annually awarded as prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.
“One part to the person who shall have done the most or best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of the standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses.”
While the city of Charleston, S.C. might not meet some of Nobel’s requirements such as work for fraternity between nations, it can be argued that it did spread peace congresses while reducing the standing armies of White supremacists who want to wage war against people of color in this country.
What Roof intended did not come to fruition because of the character and integrity from the people of this historic city.
Roof wanted to incite hate and rioting from the Black Christian community of Charleston, S.C. but instead received love and forgiveness.
Roof wanted to bring “honor” to the Confederacy and its flag, but instead has brought calls, from Republicans and Democrats, to remove the flag that symbolizes hate and subjugation for so many Black Americans.
Roof wanted to segregate the races and instead he brought people of all hues together to protest racism and his beloved Confederate flag.
To some the flag might not be a big deal, but it symbolizes treason, slavery, hatred, rebellion and the opposite of patriotism.
By potentially taking it down, South Carolina can put part of the South’s ugly past behind them and work to bringing people together as one nation, not the South versus the North or Black versus White.
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