An Unnoticed, Life Changing Moment 
By R. Hal Ritter

    The purpose of this autobiographical story is to discuss, for the first time, a moment in my life that has challenged me for thirty‑four years. I have never spoken about this incident, but for some reason I mentioned it last week to a colleague at a meeting of our local ministerial alliance. My friend suggested that I write it down.

    I am sure that what happened went mainly unnoticed except for the few people who were involved, and I suppose that none of them has any memory of it. I have often debated within myself whether or not it was actually "life changing."  But I know it was life changing in the sense that it created a memory and awareness in me that I will never forget, and I hope it has made me a different person. However, I know with my human limitations, that I disappoint myself over and over again.

    I was born in Summerville, South Carolina, in the Dorchester County Hospital. Years ago the hospital was moved and merged with two other county hospitals, and the old hospital building is now used for county health services. I lived in a segregated community, and my grandfather, who hired black men to work in his yard and plow his garden each year, always said that "nigras" were all right so long as they stayed in their place. Now, forty‑five years later, I understand how offensive the term "nigra" is, but as a child I do not have any memory of ever hearing the term used in sarcasm or insult.
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