STORIES GO HERE##################-->

John Hatcher

>It was the early sixties. Mama sent me downtown to pay bills. I took the city bus. After boarding,

I went to a two seater. About two stops later, two African-American teens boarded and one of

them had enough of Rosa Parks in her that she plopped down right next to me. "How dare her," I thought.

>I got up and moved to the seat closest to the front as I could. I was 14 years old and a product of

the segregated south. I did what came naturally. At the time it happened, I at least had the sense to

know something was awkward about the whole incident. At the time, however, I did not know it was I

and my upbringing. Pastor Eddie Thomas of Fayetteville's Edgefield Baptist Church was quoted

recently as saying he did not remember the days of segregation and that's why it's important to observe

Black History Month. Indeed, if we do not remember the past, we are doomed to repeat our mistakes.

Back to the bus. What happened to change my attitude about seating arrangements on a bus or the

number of restrooms at a public facility or the number of water fountains in the park? I began to hear

the language of equality from the lips of my pastor, Rev. John Simmons. I began to hear disapproval

of prejudice and racism. I began to understand how a Christian was supposed to think and act. Early

in my ministry, I stood in front of an African-American congregation, told them my story, and

asked them top forgive me for my prejudice and my racism. They did! It was one of the most

liberating moments of my life. From that time, I've had a freedom to have all kinds of friends.

>Only three years ago when the Southern Baptist Convention met in Atlanta did the huge

denomination repent and ask forgiveness for racism and prejudice. You may not know but the Southern

Baptist Convention was born because they wanted to sustain the practice of allowing appointed

missionaries to retain slaves and northern Baptists did not. So, they got a divorce.

>Perhaps it's a new day. Perhaps people of all hues are asking forgiveness and granting

forgiveness for our past behavior. The most segregated hour of the week is showing signs of colorizing

(thanks to Ted Turner for the word). Just look at Atlanta City Church. If Martin Luther King, Jr. were to

peep in on ACC, he would drop his sign. What a glorious sight. Not everybody's white!

>What about you? What are you doing or perhaps your church doing to change attitudes,

prejudices, and misbehavior of the past? Let's be intentional about this thing. Let me suggest that you drop in

on Edgefield Baptist Church Saturday night, February 27, for their dramatic remembrance of their

past (and our past) as part of Black History Month. Remember, you can make a difference for the good

of this community!

<!--##############