NAACP HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN BLACK DOLLAR WEEK

The Cape Girardeau Chapter of the NAACP this year will participate in a national demonstration to signify the clout of black consumers.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Aug. 31-Sept. 8 will conduct its eight annual "Black Dollar Week" demonstration. The Cape Girardeau chapter will join the national group in the event for the first time this year.

Michael J. Sterling, president of the Cape Girardeau NAACP, said the organization wants black consumers and "others interested in equality" during the week to use $2 bills and Susan B. Anthony dollar coins for all purchases. He said rarely used currency will help show the impact black consumers have on the local economy.

"It's a way we can show our consumer strength in the community," he said. "We are asking black consumers to vote their economic interest by spending $2 bills and Susan B. Anthony dollar coins for their purchases prior to and during the Labor Day weekend.

Sterling said that participation in the national demonstration allows blacks to tell merchants, "If they want to continue to enjoy black consumer support, we expect our fair share of the jobs and business opportunities.

"Our message is plain: you cannot count our money without counting us. Either count us in or count us out."

Sterling said it's difficult to predict how many Cape Girardeau residents will participate in "Black Dollar Week."

"It may go over big the first time, but if not, we'll build on it next year and the years after," he said. "We'll get good participation, but probably not overwhelming participation. It's just like anything: it takes a while for people to become aware.

"The main idea behind it is, civil rights is a journey, not a destination. This is just another step in the journey."

Sterling said that although according to the 1990 census the black population is growing in Cape Girardeau, there still are few services and resources aimed at helping blacks.

"There were still a lot of blacks that were not counted in the census," he said. "The city was passed over for an urbanized area and they'll want to count again. But I'll be against it unless we can sit down at the bargaining table and get some services for the black community."

Sterling said the NAACP focuses primarily on three aspects of the black economy: employment, housing and education.

"We want our fair share," he said. It's really not hard, but people want to make it hard.

"Cape Girardeau already has a lot of resources. The city of Cape is growing by leaps and bounds, but the black community's been left out. Really, no decisions have been made to help the black community.

"There are enough people in Cape Girardeau to want to see a change that we can't help but succeed. We will not fail."

Sterling said the local NAACP chapter is under new, "revitalized" leadership. Sterling's grandfather, Jesse, started the organization here.

"He was very instrumental in ending a lot of segregation," Sterling said. "So I feel like I'm going to pick up the torch and carry on where he left off.

"People are going to know the difference. We'll be doing a lot more in the community. We'll be monitoring the judicial system and the housing and employment scene and addressing at a higher level a lot of the discrimination that's been going on in the workplace."

Currency for the demonstration will be available at Boatmen's Bank, 2001 William. Other participating businesses include the downtown Dollar Store and Sav-a-Lot, Del Farm, Walmart and K-Mart.

Merchants interested in participating are asked to keep records of transactions made with $2 bills and Susan B. Anthony coins from Aug. 31 to Sept. 8, and send them to: Michael J. Sterling, president NAACP, P.O. Box 417, Cape Girardeau.