We will never forget The Emanuel by Mattese Lecque. This powerful title isn’t just a reflection of grief; it’s a literary beacon of remembrance, faith, and resilience. Mattese Lecque a proud African American female voice has beautifully chronicled the pain and power surrounding the Charleston church tragedy in this emotionally charged tribute. Her book serves not only as a remembrance of the lives lost but as a rallying cry for love, forgiveness, and racial justice.
The Tragedy That Shook the Nation
On the evening of June 17, 2015, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church known as “Mother Emanuel” was the site of a horrifying racially motivated shooting. Nine African American worshippers were killed during a Bible study session, simply because of the color of their skin.
In The Emanuel by Mattese, the story of this heartbreaking night is revisited through her eyes filled with grace, wisdom, and strength. She captures not only what was lost but what was revealed: a community’s unwavering belief in faith, justice, and unity.
The Weight of the Title
The phrase “We will never forget” echoes through American history, often tied to pivotal moments of collective mourning. In combining it with The Emanuel by Mattese, she places this Charleston church shooting into its rightful place in the national memory. It’s a plea to remember not out of pain, but out of purpose.
About Mattese Lecque: A Legacy of Leadership
Mattese Lecque is a distinguished African American female author, historian, and retired Major in the U.S. Army Reserves. She also served with the U.S. Department of Justice and holds degrees in Allied Health Sciences and advanced sciences.
But beyond credentials, she is a woman of purpose. Her voice is compassionate and clear. Through The Emanuel, she transforms tragedy into a living narrative of faith, courage, and reflection. As a female leader, she champions the importance of historical truth and spiritual healing, reminding us that storytelling can be an act of justice.
Central Themes in The Emanuel by Mattese
1. Faith in the Face of Evil
The victims’ families chose to forgive the killer, drawing from deep wells of faith. Mattese Lecque presents this act not as weakness, but as divine strength. Her perspective highlights how spiritual resilience can lead to transformative healing.
2. Community Resilience
Charleston’s Black community did not collapse under grief. Instead, it rose stronger. In The Emanuel by Mattese, she illustrates how churches, neighbors, and families supported each other proving love can outlast violence.
3. The Urgency of Memory
Memory is the soul of progress. Mattese Lecque urges us to never forget. Forgetting would be a betrayal; remembering is justice. Through this work, she makes sure the victims are not just mourned but remembered with honor and humanity.
4. Justice and Awareness
This tribute isn’t only emotional it’s political. Lecque uses The Emanuel to call attention to gun violence, systemic racism, and the complacency that often follows public outrage. She compels readers to be active participants in change.
Honoring the Emanuel Nine
In her writing, Mattese Lecque does not reduce the victims to names on a memorial wall. Each person is given dignity, voice, and light. Their professions, passions, and prayers are remembered. Through her pen, their souls remain visible and honored.
A Global Wake-Up Call
The Charleston tragedy stirred global conversations around faith, forgiveness, and racism. The Emanuel by Mattese documents not only the immediate grief but also the long-term cultural ripple effects. Churches improved their security, laws were revisited, and the Confederate flag was finally removed from the South Carolina State House.
Mattese Lecque uses this moment to awaken hearts. Her storytelling becomes activism. Her remembrance becomes a guide for change.
Used in Classrooms, Pulpits, and Beyond
Educators, ministers, and activists have embraced The Emanuel by Mattese as a foundational text. Its accessible language and emotional depth make it suitable for high school curricula, interfaith gatherings, and racial justice workshops.
She writes not only to inform but to unite. Her voice bridges generations and races, and her work encourages readers to not just reflect but respond.
She Reminds Us Why We Must Never Forget
Why do we say we will never forget The Emanuel by Mattese Lecque? Because forgetting means silence and silence breeds injustice. Lecque makes the case that active remembrance is the only way forward. Her book is a legacy of voice, vision, and spiritual truth.
Conclusion
We will never forget The Emanuel by Mattese Lecque. Through her compassion, strength, and sharp historical insight, she has gifted us a tribute that is both a memorial and a movement. As a female author and leader, she ensures the story of the Emanuel Nine is not left behind in news archives but instead lives on in hearts, minds, and communities.
Mattese Lecque’s message is clear: Let remembrance guide reform. Let grief inspire grace. And let stories, like The Emanuel, remind us all of what we must never allow again.
It was on this day in 2015 that countless lives were forever changed. Today we honor and remember those lost at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. #CharlestonStrong
