AT NAACP NATIONAL CONVENTION: STERLING HOPES TO STRESS CIVIL RIGHTS

Michael Sterling, president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, this month attended the 83rd Annual NAACP National Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

The theme of the convention was "Honoring our Past, Fulfilling our Present and Preparing For the Future." Featured speakers included the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Benjamin Hooks, Carol Moseley Braun, Yolanda King and Marion Wright Edelman.

Sterling attended workshops on developing affordable housing and a stronger work force, employment discrimination, and voter registration and participation.

"I intend to go back to this local branch with a more vigorous agenda dealing with civil rights," Sterling said.

"As I listened and observed from the many experts in the field of civil rights, I compared Cape to most cities this size and have to say we are so far behind others in civil rights enforcement, it's really alarming."

Sterling said that in many cities, the black community and whites work together while in Cape Girardeau it "seems like everyone has hidden agendas."

"We will self-destruct in this city just like central L.A., if we don't start dealing with civil rights concerns with a positive attitude," he said.