UPstander International Speaks Out Against The Violence in Charleston's Historic Emanuel AME Church

WASHINGTON - June 29, 2015 - PRLog -- UPstander International condemns the violent massacre that took place at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina that killed 9 people on Wednesday, June 18.

UI calls for global education on issues such as racism and stereotyping that spew from institutional and systemic ignorance. The shooter, Dylann Roof, who has confessed to the murders of 9 worshipers, had hopes of beginning a “race war” and consequently the Department of Justice is investigating this incident as a hate crime.

Too often throughout history, violence is used to express rage and frustration. While UI recognizes the great UPstanders who have emerged during this catastrophic event, they also acknowledge that this tragedy could have been prevented by those who chose to be bystanders.

“The shooter openly expressed his desire to inflict harm and he made good on his promise. When you hear or see something, say something. Speak out against injustice. Help others take a stand when they cannot stand for themselves,” said director of UI, Omékongo Dibinga.

Since the incident, SC residents and lawmakers have been forced to address an older discussion regarding the removal of the Confederate flag from their statehouse grounds. Though some believe the flag represents noble traditions, many other southerners complain it is a symbol of hate and bigotry.  UI stands with Gov. Nikki Haley who has also echoed these sentiments.

“While it [the Confederate flag] represents a legitimate heritage for some, it represents state-sponsored terrorism and violence on a large scale for far too many. The time has come to move forward as one country. We at UPstander International will continue to work every day in that spirit of “e pluribus unum” – “out of many, one."

For more information on UPstander International, please visitwww.upstanderinternational.com. To schedule an interview, please contact LaWanda White at lawanda@independentlypr.com.

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About Omékongo Dibinga

Omékongo is a motivational speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, and rapper. His Urban Music Award winning work has been described by Nikki Giovanni as “outstanding, exciting, and new while being very old.” His book, From the Limbs of My Poetree was described by Essence Magazine as “a remarkable and insightful collection of exquisite poetry that touches sacred places within your spirit.” He was one of 5 recipients out of 750,000 to win the first ever “CNN iReport Spirit Award.” His work has appeared in O Magazine, and on TV and radio from BET, the BBC and NPR to Music Choice and Voice of America in millions of homes in over 150 countries. He has received over 1,000,000 views on CNN.com. He has spoken before the United Nations, partners with the State Department to conduct youth leadership trainings overseas, and speaks to leadership and diversity conferences across the globe.