From Fr John Markoe Talk at Testimonial to Him

Abstract

This meeting is concerned with what is called racism. I have seen it with my eyes, heard it with my ears, tasted it with my mouth and felt it with every fiber of my being for about 47 years. As a result of those years of experience I can say that I know of no worse crime, no worse evil or more heinous sin than the crime, the evil, the sin of racism. It leads to the segregation of other human beings as we are; it humiliates other groups and degrades them as human beings. Causes untold suffering, misery, a continual spiritual crucifixion that is worse than a material crucifixio that kills only the body. A form of racist who chooses to be one who denies his fellow man the right to live a full life. How such a man or woman expects to enter Heaven I don't know. As a matter of fact, I think racism is such a rotten evil that I don't think such a racist will be received cordially even in Hell. The racism of the South is thrown before us today but I think there x is a worse from of racism in the North. I have admiration for one who is honest and down in Selma, Ala. there are some honest racists. The turn the dogs on people, etc. who are of a darker complexion and they seem to be proud of it. But up North--and I'm sorry to say right in Omaha--you have racism that is form a dishonest form of racism, a cowardly from of racism you can never spot the racists and there are certain groups who are opposing the progress that other groups are making toward justice and charity for all and you can never pin them down. They always work undercover in a sneaky way , a cowardly way and so I have, in a certain sense, more admiration for the southern racist than I do for the northern racist. And to the sin of racism the northern racist adds hypocrisy and he also adds another sin, that is never thought of at all. Racism where it previksxobs x Racism where it prevails robs other individuals and groups of individuals of a right to a full life. You know that if a person goes downtown and robs the First National Bank of $5,000 there would be a big commotion. That robbery of $5,000 from one of our banks here in the city is nothing in my mind compared to robbing a human being of his right to a full life. That is a form of robbery that cries to Heaven for vengeance. Due to my dear brother who is present, my double brother, my natural bother and my religious brother, due to his prayers and example and inspiration I followed him into preparing for the priestly career 3 1/2 years behind him and so to me this tribute is more to him than to me. often disensing racist. How such people ever enter expect to enter into Heaven I do not know in fact I doubt they will be welcome in Hell