Charleston Comes Together After Church Massacre

Accused gunman Dylann Roof wanted to provoke a reaction that would lead to a broader conflict, but he picked the wrong city.

All the signs are that Dylann Roof was trying to ignite a race war when he killed nine African American churchgoers in a Bible study session on Wednesday evening.

It was it seems an act of white terrorism, an attack designed to provoke a reaction that would lead to a broader conflict.

He picked the wrong city.

Instead of provoking violence and conflict his deranged act has been smothered with forgiveness, and solidarity.

We have had the extraordinary expressions of forgiveness by some of the relatives of the people he murdered in cold blood.

Then over the weekend, multiple church services poured onto the streets of Charleston and converged on the place where this tragedy happened. 

Worshippers from many denominations united to express their support and love for the victims and their fellow congregants.

Charleston has racial tension as you would expect in a city whose wealth was built on slavery.

The church where this crime occurred is on Calhoun St, named after a man who owned slaves and put forward a theory trying to justify the abominable trade. 

One African American told me every time he walks down it he feels oppressed.

There are many streets and squares like it.

And the confederate flag flies near the State Capitol building in Columbia, a fact that stokes resentment among millions of black Americans in a controversy reignited by the aftermath of the church massacre.

But this city is no racial tinderbox, as the events of the last few days and the extraordinary spirit of those most affected have made clear if anyone was in doubt. 

Roof's white extremist incendiarism found nothing combustible here.

There is though real anger, not least that yet another deranged young American has been able to acquire a firearm and kill innocent victims.

America's political system has utterly failed to prevent another massacre.

After Sandy Hook the financial and political muscle of the gun lobby meant popular calls for gun control never translated into meaningful legislation.

Thomas Pritchard, a Charleston resident and gun owner himself, told me he hopes that will eventually change, but he is not holding his breath.

"You know the majority of Americans support reasonable gun control, but as long as the NRA is using their financial influence it may be wishful thinking.

"I hope not but it may be.''