NAACP CHAPTER MARKS 55 YEARS FIGHTING RACISM

In 1942, an attack on a black Sikeston man spawned a new NAACP branch in Cape Girardeau.

Today the Cape Girardeau chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People celebrates its 55th anniversary.

The Sikeston man, Cleo Wright, was accused of breaking into a home and attacking a Sikeston woman. He was shot four times by police when he attacked officers with a knife. A mob attacked and took Wright from the jail, tied him to a car and dragged him through the streets. His body was then doused with gasoline and set fire.

Black residents were outraged at Wright's treatment by the mob. New NAACP organizations were formed at Cape Girardeau, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff.

"Our fight is that of inequality, all persons who suffer inequality," said Michael Sterling, president of the local NAACP. His grandfather, Jesse Sterling, is a past president of the organization.

"This is a legacy for me to battle racism and make a difference," Sterling said.

While many conditions have changed over the years, Juanita Spicer, a former president and current education chairman of the local chapter, said Cape's NAACP has lasted because a need still exists.

"My greatest regret is that some people fear this organization," Spicer said. "We want to work with people. We want to communicate with people. We want to help people."

Over the years, helping people understand each other has been a top priority, Spicer said.

In the early years, the NAACP worked to open swimming pools, movie theaters and restaurants to blacks. Members lobbied for integration of schools and equal opportunities in employment.

In the 1970s, Spicer worked to establish an affirmative action plan in the city. She also visited with local businesses, encouraging them to hire minority employees.

"Employers did try to work with us and tried to be cooperative," Spicer said.

Sterling said priorities today are similar to those of earlier years -- improving relationships within the city, promoting minority hiring practices and working for better housing.

"We want to create partnerships with the public schools and the police department," Sterling said. "We want to offer sensitivity training to all employers."

In addition, the organization is planning a series of workshops and seminars to provide information people need to be successful in business and the community.

Sterling said the organization will be aggressive against discrimination in all areas. "It affects generations to come, and it's against the law," he said.

Spicer said, "The organization has lasted all these years because the need is still here. If we get one situation taken care of, something else pops up."

Sterling said, "People often ask me, `When will racism end?' When the majority of people want it to end, it will end."

In the meantime, the NAACP will be around serving both as a watchdog and an advocate in the community.

Sterling is especially proud of a re-activated youth chapter for Cape Girardeau.

"We need the young people to get involved and to get organized," he said.

In May, the local chapter is holding its largest fund-raising event ever. The King Royal Brothers Circus will perform two shows at Arena Park May 24. Ticket information is available at 334-9043.

The NAACP meets the second Friday of each month at the Cape Civic Center at 7 p.m. Membership is open to anyone.

The national NAACP was founded in New York in 1909.