Oral history interview with Kylon Jerome Middleton, 2021
Abstract
Kylon Middleton recounts his experience as senior pastor of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Georgetown, South Carolina, and discusses his lifelong friendship with state senator Reverend Clementa Pinckney, one of the nine victims of the 2015 mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina. Middleton focuses on the role of the Black church in social justice, a nd describes how he campaigned for Obama, whom he saw as a unifier. He recounts Obama's eulogy at the funeral for Clementa Pinckney, which included a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace." Reflecting on his work to co-create the Pinckney Foundation, Middleton outlines his advocacy for gun control and his recent election to county council. Also discussed are Middleton and Pickney's deep connection as young pastors, Obama's use of the language of faith, and Middleton's hope for Pickney to be remembered as someone who truly served humanity
Presidents--United States; Massacres--South Carolina; Mass shootings--South Carolina; African American churches; Gun control--United States; Firearms--Law and legislation--United States; African Americans--Crimes against--South Carolina; Hate crimes--South Carolina; Racism--South Carolina; United States Race relations; Middleton, Kylon; Obama, Barack; Emanuel AME Church (Charleston, S.C.)
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2021
Physical Description
41 pages
Note (Biographical)
Kylon Middleton is an American theologian, pastor, and civic leader. At the time of the interview, Middleton was senior pastor of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the daughter church of Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carol ina. Middleton is the co-founder, with Jennifer Pinckney and Senator Gerald Malloy, of the Clementa Pinckney Foundation, which was established to honor the life of the late senior pastor and state senator after his death in the mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015. On June 26, 2015, President Obama traveled to South Carolina to deliver the eulogy for Reverend Pinckney at the funeral service held at the College of Charleston, and where Middleton, a lifelong friend of Pinckney, also delivered remarks on the meaning of Pinckney's life and public service
Note
Interviewed by Terrell D. Frazier on June 3, 2021. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Kylon Jerome Middleton, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023