TRUTH, SCHOOLS AND PROTECTING YOURSELF WITH NUMBERS

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Each February serves to mark the observance of National Black History Month, and again this year Southeast Missouri State University and campus groups are offering a variety of events in an effort to inform both students and non-students of outstanding African-Americans and their contributions to this nation. Black History Month also is designed to preserve the culture of African-Americans.

Among events slated for this month, as outlined in a Southeast Missourian story Sunday, are discussions on issues that face black Americans, challenges facing black students, and race relations on campus, in which university faculty, staff and students will participate. All are designed to put forth information that will stimulate awareness, provoke thought and create understanding.

A highlight of the observance takes place Monday at 8 p.m. in Southeast Missouri State's Academic Hall when the play "A Woman Called Truth" will be presented. It's the story of freed-slave Sojourner Truth's fight for freedom and human dignity in the 1800s. The Women's Rights Convention of 1852 opens and ends the play. It includes her travels across Michigan to solicit food and clothing for black volunteers when the Civil War began and her outspoken appearances in support of the Union cause.

Truth was revered by novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe, who described her in the 1840s as a prophetess of ancient times with wit and intellectual abilities. Stowe marveled at her abilities, although she could neither read nor write.

Southeast's Cultural Programs Committee indeed chose an outstanding work when it booked the Coterie Theater's unique production. It's a story about identity and how this nation has come as far as it has as a human race.

We strongly recommend that people of all ages see the play, which lasts about an hour. The $4 cost of general admission and $2 for senior citizens and non-university students are well worth the price.

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Today marks the end of Catholic Schools Week, which featured a number of special events at schools in Cape Girardeau and neighboring communities.

Interviews with principals of the three Catholic schools in Cape Girardeau and schools at Jackson and Scott City revealed enrollments at all of the schools are growing, some dramatically. It indicates that more parents are seeking alternatives to a traditional public-school education for their children.

Sister Mary Ann Fischer, the principal of the only Catholic high school in the area, Notre Dame in Cape Girardeau, said she anticipates enrollment at Notre Dame will increase by about 30 students again next school year. Fischer believes one reason for the growing enrollments is the fact the school combines faith with living and learning, and it has a tradition of "faith and value-centered education." In addition, many parents, who are paying the tuition to send their children to a private school, are attracted by the school's relatively small size, she said. This year's enrollment is 287 students.

The area's Catholic schools traditionally have offered quality educational and societal programs, and it appears that a growing number of parents realize it. The schools play a vital role, and we wish them continued success.

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The city of Cape Girardeau is having little success trying to get people to put numbers on their houses in compliance with a city ordinance.

Last July the Fire Department did a random survey of 816 homes to find that only 494 -- about 60 percent -- displayed address numbers properly. Another survey was taken in September after a media- and public-education campaign on numbering, and only 63 percent of those same homes displayed numbers.

Most of the non-complying homes are in newer sections of the city, Fire Chief Robert L. Ridgeway found. In some areas, he said, you can go for blocks and not see address numbers on homes.

That's disappointing considering a building can be properly identified with 4-inch-high numbers for less than a couple of dollars.

The city could issue citations, but is hesitant to do so; it hopes instead for voluntary compliance. We agree with their approach.

A frivolous matter, you say. Not hardly. In fact, it could be the difference between life and death should emergency-response personnel have to try to find your house in an emergency. It makes their job doubly tough when they can't even find the house they're responding to simply because someone won't take the time to put the address number on it.

We urge citizens to make their jobs easier: Comply.