Parks' daughter shares broad range of his talents

Toni Parks Parsons looked up to her father, and for everyone who knew him, it was clear why.

The daughter of the late Fort Scott native, who was born here in 1912, spoke to a group of about 30 people Thursday in the Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity at Fort Scott Community College.

Parsons, an accomplished photographer in her own right, presented a slide show of images from "Martin," a 1989 stage opera dedicated to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., that Gordon Parks choreographed and directed. Parsons also spoke about memories of her father and some of the powerful works he created as a noted filmmaker, writer, poet, musician and photographer.

The event was part of week-long activities at the Gordon Parks Celebration of Culture and Diversity at FSCC, which continue through Saturday.

"He (Parks) influenced my life, my photography," Parsons said. "Of course, when you have people telling you your father is almost like God...," she said with a laugh.

The audience laughed, smiled and reminisced right along with her because they knew the man she was talking about. This was a man who battled through hard times as a child growing up in Fort Scott, as well as many years of racial discrimination and segregation, to become one of the most successful artists in history.

Parks was a role model, to those who knew him, and sometimes a man of few words who let his work speak for itself.

Parsons shared another humorous moment during her presentation, describing a time when she realized the importance of her father's name and how she almost changed it.

"One day my husband made me really mad," she said. "And I just dropped the Parsons. I said from now on my work is going to be just Toni Parks."

Many in attendance Thursday also had the opportunity to share experiences with Parks during his career. Parks' son, David Parks, along with Kyle Johnson, who portrayed the primary character of Newt in Parks' autobiographical film, "The Learning Tree," and Karole Graham, who portrayed the character of Big Mabel in the film, were present to listen to stories about their late friend and colleague.

Parks directed "The Learning Tree" in the late 1960s in Fort Scott.

Parks died in his New York City home in March. Gordon Parks celebration events in Fort Scott will conclude at 3 p.m. Saturday with a remembrance ceremony at Parks' gravesite in Evergreen Cemetery.