“We cannot sit idly by as our history is being erased, as our lives are being devalued, as wokeness is being attacked,” Nixon added. “Because let’s be clear: That is red meat to a base of voters. That is a dog whistle. That wokeness that they want to die is Black people, and it was evident [Saturday] by what happened.”
Rudolph McKissick, senior pastor of Bethel Church in Jacksonville, also said politics has ramped up racial tensions. “This divide exists because of the ongoing disenfranchisement of Black people and a governor who is really propelling himself forward through bigoted, racially motivated, misogynistic, xenophobic actions to throw red meat to a Republican base,” he said. “Nobody is having honest, candid conversations about the presence of racism.”
Pastor Christopher McKee Jr., who leads Jacksonville’s Church of Oakland, blamed hatred for the shooting but emphasized that the Black community is resilient and “can overcome this.” Violence is traumatizing, confusing, hurtful, and maddening, McKee added, so healing won’t be easy. “But we press on, even as we wipe away tears,” he said. “And it’s our job—faith leaders, our elected leaders, people all around the city—to be there for this community. We have no choice. We have to step up for one another.”
