President Obama Leads Amazing Grace at Funeral for Clementa Pinckney in Charleston
- Charleston, S.C. 06/26/2015 (White House)


President Barack Obama delivers the eulogy at the funeral of Reverend Clementa Pinckney at the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C., June 26, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
On Friday, President Obama traveled to Charleston, South Carolina to honor the life of pastor and state senator Clementa Pinckney -- one of the nine who lost their lives in last week's shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.

In his eulogy, the President highlighted just how much Reverend Pinckney accomplished during his 41 years of life -- being in the pulpit at age 13, a pastor at age 18, and a public servant at age 23.

"He did not exhibit any of the cockiness of youth, nor youth's insecurities," the President said. "Instead, he set an example worthy of his position, wise beyond his years, in his speech, in his conduct, in his love, faith, and purity."

"As a nation, out of this terrible tragedy, God has visited grace upon us, for he has allowed us to see where we’ve been blind."

President Obama emphasized that even in the midst of our sadness, this tragedy has "allowed us to see where we've been blind." It made clear how the Confederate flag has been a "reminder of systematic oppression and racial subjugation." It reminded us how gun violence inflicts a "unique mayhem" on our nation. It spotlighted how past injustices continue to shape our present actions.

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