Charleston — Maybe like me, Mr Editor, you are still trying to process and fathom what was by any standard an unspeakable crime, certainly, but most definitely a hate crime fuelled by racism.

I feel not just for the victims, their families and friends, but for the entire black community.

I am astonished, too, not only by the heinous act of this magnitude by a deranged young man fuelled by racism, but by the Christian witness, testimony and faith which the iconic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church has shown all of us in response.

Hatred has been met with love; cruelty by mercy; and murder with forgiveness — forgiveness for a despicable act that would strike most of us frankly as beyond forgiveness.

This is a lot to expect, let alone ask, of a people who are grieving mightily, and who have once more been put upon and victimised on the basis of the colour of their skin.

This makes for more than cause to pause: it stands on its head the whole concept of superiority, of who is and who isn’t. Mother Emanuel speaks to us, loud and clear.