Chris Singleton Delivers Inspiring Speech After Losing His Mom in Charleston Church Shooting

"Love is always stronger than hate."

By Lindsey Caldwell Jun 19, 2015 9:22 PMTags
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Chris Singleton delivered one powerful message in light of losing his mother, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, in the Charleston church shooting on Wednesday.

Chris, a baseball player at Charleston Southern University, gathered with others on Thursday evening for a prayer vigil. Singleton courageously addressed the media saying, "Love is always stronger than hate."

"So, if we just love the way my Mom would, then the hate won't be anywhere close to where the love is," he encouraged.

Singleton continued, "We are mourning right now, but I know we will get through it. My Mom was a God-fearing woman, she loved everybody with all her heart. To the other families, I'm sorry about what happened. Obviously you guys are as devastated as we are, but I know for a fact things will get better as time goes on."

While Singleton displayed incredible poise, he admitted, "Honestly, my knees are a little weak right now, but I'm trying to stay as strong as I can while I press on." Since Wednesday, it's "been crazy tough. I've maybe gotten three hours sleep, maybe." 

Singleton's mothers legacy will live through Chris and all those that loved and knew her. Chris said, "I'm probably going to push myself even harder in everything I do...Every time I do something good I'll probably give her a little wink in the sky."

Rev. Coleman-Singleton was one of nine victims from the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The eight other victims are Cynthia Hurd, 54; Susie Jackson, 87; Ethel Lance, 70; Myra Thompson, 59; Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49; Hon. Rev. Clementa Pinckney, 41; Tywanza Sanders, 26, and Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74.

"In this situation, I just think about her smile," he said. "She smiles 24/7. That's just what I'm thinking about to push me on." Chris says he's focused on making sure his brother and sister are good.

"We've come together as a community to try to get past these things," he added. "You know tragedy has happened, but life's going to go on, and things will get better."

What an incredible and inspiring message to share during such an unimaginably difficult time.