It was a moral motive that led me, and tens of thousands of other persons, to embark upon Selma, Alabama to protest in person against the professed, expressed, and actualized concept of racism. That motive was heightened by the memories of those who have been victims of racism, since its embarkation on the shores of America. Those memories included the Irish emigrants, fleeing racial oppression from persons of like skin color under British rule. They included the unfair racial treatment of the Native Americans by various immigrants from European nations seeking better opportunities for themselves and their families. It especially, and specifically, included the African slaves who, against their will, were imported to this country for the economic benefit of many of those same immigrant groups of different ethnicities. Racism is the belief that one's race determines one's value and role in life. Racism transcends slavery, yet it is engrained in the very core of this nations conception, birth, and development.

The historical memories of the Trail of Tears for the Cherokee families and tribes stretching from the eastern shores of the Carolinas to the plains of Oklahoma and other neighboring areas. The hushed stories of the varied treatment of the biracial children of slave owners some sold to slave owners in other areas; some raised to render services of "higher" levels of servitude; still others blatantly ignored as part of the genetic bloodline. Other hushed stories of those "impudent" slaves whose bodies were hung from tree limbs, or those who became the main course for the bottom feeders in the rivers and streams like the Tallahatchie.

I had already experienced various forms of racism in the public schools of my Midwestern hometown. I had already participated in peaceful civil rights demonstrations. I had already been arrested in sit-ins. I had already chanced my head and throat in a white barber shop near the campus of the University of Illinois. I had already been the recipient of having my behind literally kicked black and blue. Racism was repugnant to me. It was a personal experience. Something else still needed to be done. Deep down in my heart and spirit I knew that racism was wrong. It could not be swept under the rugs of academic, economic, political, nor social achievement.

Racism is one of the greatest examples of immoral human behavior! Racism is not only a spiritual offense against mankind, it is also an abomination against God! Racism defies and rejects the Divine intent and plan for man to manifest that "image" of Godliness an image which is to be realized within oneself and displayed to his fellow man.

It must be realized that racism is actually a self-centered and self-focused behavior pattern based on fear! Fear that someone else might achieve some sort of benefits, opportunities and/or status that I dont want that person to have. Racism is a rejection of the Divine equality of mankind. It is a false perception of a "divine right"!

Racism is an effort to perceive and project oneself as being better than another, even being closer to God than another. Racism is the epitome of self-deception!

Racism prevents even the racist from experiencing and maintaining a right relationship with God. Racism hinders and prevents a man from being and becoming what God intended for him, in time and in eternity. Racism is not morally right! Racism is a sin!

Something has to change! Racism must not prevail! What will it take? Fortunately, God included in His plan for mankind a solution, even a corrective process for racism. A two-fold process. The first component of that process is called repentance. Thats right! Repentance! Unless and until a person recognizes and admits his/her inner belief, even conviction, that he/she is better than, more important than any other person especially someone of another ethnicity he will continue being a racist! When he/she realizes and accepts the fact that such feelings and behavior is against God and decides to change, to discontinue such behavior, and starts treating all persons as one in whom the Spirit of God dwells, then the spirit of racism, that sense of superiority over another human being will cease.

Now the second component of that corrective process for racism is called reconciliation! That means to do all that you can to help restore victims and perpetrators of racism to the right perceptions and forms of relationships that engender and promote equal, fair, and godly interactions, privileges, and opportunities for all human beings.

This corrective process of racism requires one having a moral moment! An encounter with God that moves one beyond oneself to a point of determination that Gods Will for self and for all mankind must become the prevailing process for all human interaction! It must become a moment of self-determination to help implement and promote such actions of repentance and reconciliation.

Racism is not of God! And just as Jesus died to save us from all of our sins including racism we too, who believe in and follow Jesus as the Savior, must also be willing to die that all sinners, even racists, might be forgiven and reconciled to God and man.

Selma became that moral moment for me! Selma became that moment when I faced my Gethsemane! Selma became that moment when I became willing to even face death for my moral convictions!

Have you had your moral moment?

Rev. Samuel Hale is the pastor of Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Springfield.

Rev. Samuel W. Hale, Jr.

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Rev. Samuel W. Hale: Coming to your moral moment - The State Journal-Register