OLDER RESIDENTS HONORED AT BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Nearly 100 people Sunday paid homage to the city's elderly black residents at a special service at the Second Baptist Church at 426 S. Frederick.

The program, "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired," was sponsored by the Southeast Area Cape Community Group (S.E.A.).

Various Southeast Missouri State University representatives and community leaders honored 27 black residents 80 years or older with song, poetry and inspirational lectures.

Opal McManus, S.E.A. secretary, read a proclamation from Mayor Gene Rhodes declaring Sunday a day to honor the city's black senior citizens.

Bernice Coar-Cobb, adviser to the S.E.A. and a faculty member at Southeast, praised the senior citizens for their long-time commitment to Cape Girardeau.

"You've lived a long time and you've blessed our lives along the way," Cobb said. "I've only been here since 1988, but I remember your smiles, your handshakes and hour hugs."

William Thompson, assistant professor of social work at the university, was the event's main speaker.

Thompson began his speech by quoting entertainer and civil rights leader Dick Gregory who said: "When young people call old people, `old fool,' they're terribly mistaken, because you don't get to be old by being a fool."

Thompson titled his speech, "The Best of Times, The Worst of Times," and discussed much of the progress blacks and other minorities have made in society during the past several decades.

He said that as more and more blacks realize that their limitations aren't inherent, the more they're able to achieve in society.

"Blacks and other minorities have a new sense of pride and feelings of self-worth," Thompson said. "Their status in society is man-made and not God-made, and anything man-made can be changed."

But Thompson also said there remain many difficulties for minorities that, in many ways, make these the "worst of times."

Thompson said that black demands for equality often are met with accusations that they're unfair. But Thompson said black people have been "fair and patient" for many years with little effect. He said blacks today can't be "fair."

"Being black in America is not a comfortable existence," Thompson said. "It means trying to smile when you want to cry. It means getting your legs cut off and being criticized for being a cripple."

Thompson said blacks today need to develop a sense of "somebodyness," or the "refusal to be ashamed of being black."

He encouraged unity among black groups such as churches, fraternities and sororities and social groups. Thompson also stressed the need for the "predominantly white power structure" to remove barriers to the black community.

David Humes, mayor of Hayti, presented those black senior citizens who were present with a commemorative certificate.

Those present who were honored included: Festus and Betty Beal; Mrs. Mary Cardwell; W.H. Haynes; Mrs. Ersie James; C.Q. Lattin; Mrs. Elner Miller; J.T. and Lessie Nelson; Idella Ross; Mrs. Bertie Garrett; and Mrs. Minerva Pett.

Pett, 90, and Garrett, 93, were the oldest residents represented.

"I want to recognize the work that (these people) have done in the community: holding things together before people like us could come in and carry it on," said Humes.

Others who spoke at the event included Tanisha Morrow, a Southeast student, who read a poem dedicated to the honorees.

Also, Karla Cooper, president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Southeast, read several poems she had written.

Derek Hudson, president of the Association of Black Collegians, praised the honorees as people that "won't be in the history books, but who have had an influence in their community."

Jane Drown, an artist and student at Southeast, unveiled a fabric she made titled "Wisdom" in honor of the senior citizens.

The artwork included depictions of famous black people in history and a quotation from the Bible that describes Godly wisdom.

"Don't let anyone tell you that you will not, and cannot," Drown said. "Just seek the wisdom from above, seek Divine guidance and everything within you will be fulfilled."