The Pickneys – Part Two

The Pinckneys - P2 South Carolina Department of Education

While being confronted with evil and immense loss, you have accomplished great feats. Tell us about your personal journey of growth in the decade after June 17, 2015.

Jennifer: The last decade has been difficult, but I put my trust in God. My main focus was my girls. I tried to keep things as normal as possible for them, trying to minimize more major changes for them. Now that the girls are older, I’ve been focusing on myself more. The loneliness still hits me—Clementa was always there to talk to and was my soulmate. Over the course of time, I’ve gained a lot of strength in knowing I can accomplish and do things I didn’t think I could do before. When you have that helpmate, you lean on them. But, when you’re by yourself, you realize you have to rise to the occasion. When you don’t have that person to lean on, you find your inner strength.

Eliana: I’ve obviously grown and matured a lot. I was eleven at the time of the shooting, and I’m 20 now. I’ve sought to find authentic ways to embody my father’s legacy, not just in political action, but in everything I do. He and my mother raised me to be a community builder, which I do through my art, voice, community work, and performance work. I’ve learned that’s what continuing a legacy means—not an exact replication of my father but a version wholly my own based on his impact left on me.

Malana: This past decade has been about me becoming more of myself. I was six at the time of his passing, and the years that followed included both trying to overcome such an awful experience and finding out who I really was. I always sought to make everyone proud while staying true to myself.

What gives you hope for the future?

Eliana: I honestly think it’s seeing all the people in our younger generations and how they stand up for their beliefs and seek to include others. Whether our opinions are the same or different, we’re empowered to communicate with each other. This level of open communication gives me hope for the possibility of the future.

Malana: What gives me hope is seeing how my mom’s generation has done so much and knowing that we now have even more tools. Because we have such open minds, the possibilities are endless.

Jennifer: I find my hope in the knowledge that the legacy lives on in our children. I want to help people continue to serve others and continue to be role models. Service was always so big for Clementa and our family. That must continue. I’m hopeful that people can come together to share love and share joy. With so much sadness in the world, we can overcome anything if we can come together.