The country is mourning the nine African-Americans murdered Wednesday during bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston: DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton and Myra Thompson.
And now, a Twitter hashtag is honoring them.
The hashtag was started by writer and activist @FeministaJones, who asked her followers to name Black people who have inspired, taught and changed them using the hashtag #Black9.
The hashtag took off, with hundreds of people sharing their lists. Many named contemporary writers, thinkers and activists alongside notable historic figures.
#Black9Maya Angelou OprahMartin Luther King Jr. Langston HughesW.E.B DuboisMahalia JacksonBarack ObamaSpike LeeAva DuVernay
— N.D.L. (@noelledl_) June 19, 2015
Alice Walker
bell hooks
James Baldwin
Richard Wright
Derrick Bell
Malcolm X
Gloria Naylor
Janet Jackson
Angela Harris— Dr. Mama Esq. (@gradmommy) June 19, 2015
Those listed in #Black9 tweets, like actor Jesse Williams, shared their appreciation for the hashtag and the African-American Twitter community at large.
The tweets are a much-needed celebration of black excellence and an affirmation of black community during a tragic, troubling time.
Check out more #Black9 tweets here.
The shooting is a developing story. Check back for updates.