Emanuel AME Church is making headlines again for a terrible reason. This is a sad and selfish act, especially coming a church. Donations were flowing in to support the families who lost loved one in tragic shooting that occurred last year inside of Emanuel AME Church. Nine praying members were killed and 5 were injured. The received donations that exceeded $2 million. The church split $1.5 million amongst the families of the victims and kept $1.8 million for themselves.

Of course the church was in grave need of this money. The $1.8 million will be used for maintenance, scholarships and endowment for memorials. A foundation that helps allocate funds to victims will also receive a portion of the money.

What happened inside of that church was a true tragedy and I believe it is a sad in this world when a church decides to capitalize off of the slaughter of its members. The fact that they can justify keeping over 50 percent of the funds is tragic. I hope heavy scrutiny of their actions will pressure them into doing the right thing.

Even when family members of the victims received their checks, the letters attached to it was heartless. The letters expressed compassion or comforting words. The letters read, “This sum represents the distribution to you of a percentage of the total amount of funds, calculated upon the basis of the number of immediate family members of the Emanuel 9 victims and survivors.” I’m sure they will live to regret their distasteful actions.