This is the last in a series appearing as part of Fishtrap’s Big Read, which focuses this year on Harper Lee’s novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird.” For a calendar of events: (www.fishtrap.org).

“People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

– 1st Samuel 16:7

Mike, my childhood best friend, was almost in my “kill zone.” I waited patiently as I continued to mash the spring snow into a tighter ball. I didn’t want my ammunition to fly apart as I winged it towards its target. My uncle Harvey’s voice called into the barn, “Boys, come inside.” I muttered a complaint, but jumped out of the hayloft and followed Harvey into his old farmhouse. He didn’t own a television set, but the upright radio was turned on. Harvey sat down and motioned for us to do the same. We sat and were silent as the news broadcast informed us of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

After 15 to 20 minutes, Harvey rose up, shuffled across the living room and turned off the radio. “It shouldn’t have happened. He was a good man. You can go back to play now.” I sat in that wood-smoke stained room in stunned silence. A hero of mine had been murdered.

I was blessed to grow up in Walla Walla. Although my community was mostly Caucasian, I had African-American and Hispanic friends through my church’s youth group. I heard comments and slurs aimed at my friends and sometimes at me, but I really didn’t give it much thought.

As a senior in high school, I asked my parents if our family could participate in a Japanese student exchange program. My mother said, “It’s fine with me, but ask your dad.” Dad was non-committal. I wore him down. I did notice that he was always very quiet whenever I asked him to consider the proposition.

It was a fantastic two weeks. Sumihisa and Naoyuki were wonderful. I took them shopping, hiking and taught them to shoot a rifle. They laughed as I tried to speak rudimentary Japanese words. I was bruised when Sumi showed me his martial arts skills. I marveled at Naoyuki’s artistry at the piano. The Bruce family shed tears when the boys returned to their home. It was a pivotal two weeks in my life.

Later I would travel to Japan where I met Sumi’s family. The Tanabe family welcomed me into their home, and Sumi showed me the sights in Tokyo and Yokohama. We had a great time together and we cried when I had to leave.

Years later, my mother gave me greater insights into the two weeks when we had hosted Sumi and Naoyuki. She explained to me that after Pearl Harbor, my dad joined the Navy. He was in the South Pacific on a destroyer when my sister, Elaine, died of pneumonia.

If it hadn’t been for the war, he would have been with his family. The Japanese were the ones who forced the United States into the war. My father developed an opinion of the Japanese people and it wasn’t a positive one.

When my father acquiesced to my youthful pleading, it challenged his prejudice. Two of those people were going to be in his house and eat at his table. He didn’t want to do it; he did it only because he couldn’t say “no” to his son. Because he got to know Sumi and Naoyuki, his opinions of an entire people were challenged – and changed.

As I read “To Kill a Mockingbird,” I noticed a minor character, Braxton Underwood, the editor of The Macomb Tribune. Mr. Underwood is well-known for his racist viewpoints. He also exhibits an appreciation for Atticus Finch. We see Mr. Underwood secretly poised to defend Atticus against the mob that gathers in front of the jailhouse.

Mr. Underwood takes note of those who associate with Negroes and mentions the error of their ways in his newspaper. Jem and Scout take note of the fact that they have caught Mr. Underwood’s eye when they are sitting in the balcony – the colored section of the Maycomb County Courthouse.

Yet after hearing of Tom Robinson’s death, Mr. Underwood will write an editorial, not caring what his readers will think, about the wrongful death of this black man defended by his friend Atticus. He claims to write because Tom was a cripple. I think it is because Atticus’s defense proved Tom to be an innocent man. I believe Mr. Underwood saw Tom in a different way because his own prejudices were challenged. Judging people by the content of their heart is always a good way to disarm prejudice.

David E. Bruce is senior pastor at Enterprise Christian Church.