I was reared a very traditional Southern white boy. Though I did not realize it at the time, I gained many perks and opportunities as a child and later as a man simply because of the color of my skin. Unfortunately that is still the case in 2009 for me and countless other white men across our nation. But thankfully, times are changing!

Even though I have fought racism since young adult years in the '60's, I know I have pockets of prejudice still buried deep inside me. It would be impossible to grow up in the South, privileged because of my color, to profess otherwise. When I become aware of those pockets I try to be honest with myself and with those affected by my sin. But I will never know the full extent of the pain and suffering so many others endure, even today.

The idea of celebrating Black History Month was hard for me as it began to 'catch-on' around the nation. I admit I had to swallow hard and really think through the idea. Why set aside a whole month to celebrate Black leaders or accomplishments of African Americans and their history? We had Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday in January. Wasn't that enough?

With each passing year I have tried to listen and dialogue with people of color. I have read a few books and attended some public 'awareness-raising' sessions. Hopefully, February each year is a time for my continuing growth and appreciation of a 'history' about which I have been so very ignorant throughout my life.

On one recent occasion I was touched by another white minister who reminded his audience of the contribution of a particular Black man who was affected in profound ways by the Civil Rights era, Congressman John Lewis. Mr. Lewis' story is a significant message to share with anyone willing to take the time to study his journey and allow his path to speak to one's own.

While there are some similarities between Mr. Lewis' story and mine, there are substantial differences. We are both children of parents who were sharecroppers. We both attended segregated schools for most of our education. We are both from the South. We both attended seminary to study for ministry. We both profess the Christian faith.

However most of the comparisons end there.

Congressman Lewis' life journey to Washington was long and his struggle a mighty one. He was reared in rural Alabama and his parents were sharecroppers. That means they had to move constantly to follow the crops and seek Southern whites who might provide a shanty for the family to use while they were in his employment. There was no running water or plumbing. And days were long and hard, with little or no 'technical' support when working the long rows of crops in the fields.

While in seminary, Mr. Lewis heard speakers talk about non-violent resistance. True discipleship could be dangerous and costly, but required an active response to God's love. Mr. Lewis chose to leave the safety of his campus life to immerse himself in following what he knew to be right.

In the early years, influenced by Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks, he began to organize sit-ins at lunch counters in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1961, he volunteered to participate in the Freedom Rides, which challenged segregation at bus terminals across the South. He was repeatedly beaten by angry mobs and arrested by police. On March 7, 1965, Congressman Lewis was one of the leaders of the Selma to Montgomery March for voting rights.

That day became known as Bloody Sunday, in part because Mr. Lewis and others were attacked by police dogs and sprayed with water hoses. Congressman Lewis' skull was fractured as he and 600 others were beaten as they tried to cross the Edmond Pettus Bridge. The shadow of man's inhumanity toward their fellow man on that day still represents a dark day in our nation's history.

Why highlight this one man and his legacy in this edition of the Turner Ministry Resource Center 'Bridge'?

On the Good Morning America show that aired February 6, 2009, a story was shared about one of those white Southern men who played a part in Bloody Sunday. Elwin Wilson is now older and wanted to apologize directly to Congressman Lewis for the pain he caused. He had been one of the policemen who had beaten Mr. Lewis on that fateful day so long ago. He said he had been 'saved' and had repented of those old sins. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Wilson hugged one another and forgiveness was received.

The cornerstone of the Mission of our Center is dialogue. To 'bridge' differing views and perspectives on the faith journey. To seek an honest appraisal of what it means for one to follow their moral principles without counting the cost.

I don't believe it is necessary for me to go to every John Lewis in my world and beg forgiveness. But it might. I do believe it is necessary for me to be honest before my God and admit that at no time in my life have I been as committed to my faith and what I know to be right as Mr. Lewis has been. At no point has my faith journey cost me a fractured skull or an arrest record.   I have never stood against racism to the degree that I have lost friends or a job.

I do know that every person's path is unique. And I know in my heart that along the way I have taken stands for the underserved and the oppressed. Yet, I must never forget I am one of the privileged ones with culture on my side for most of my life. Maybe Black History Month is not just for my African American brothers and sisters to celebrate their great heritage but for me to grow, too. Hopefully to grow up toward the will of God that all might be free and whatever I can do to bring about that freedom - that is my call as a Christian disciple.

Do we need Black History Month? I do. And I believe if most of us are honest we can gain not only insight into our brothers' and sisters' world view, but expand our own.
Shalom.