Fort Scott reflects on leader's legacy

Fort Scott High School student Jack Olin answers a question from an audience member during a panel discussion Monday afternoon on the Fort Scott Community College campus. The event was part of an all-day celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at FSCC. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

The topics of racism and racial equality came to the forefront during events to celebrate the birthday of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions to society Monday at Fort Scott Community College.

Several local residents of varying ages participated in a panel discussion focusing on how the civil rights struggle has impacted Fort Scott. Members also shared thoughts on how the town has changed as a result of the civil rights movement.

The talk was one of several activities that took place Monday on the FSCC campus to honor King. Panel members also fielded some questions from audience members.

Local resident Roy Gene Collum (left) listens as local historian Don Miller shares some of his thoughts with the audience at Monday's panel discussion.(Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

Kirk Sharp, now Mercy Health for Life manager, said he recalls being the target of racial slurs, rocks and other objects during his youth. He said the level of racism doesn't go as far as it used to, although it still exists.

"There aren't as many hate crimes or crosses in yards, but there are still subtle things and comments made," he said, adding he has been asked on Martin Luther King Jr. Day if he is enjoying his "holiday" and "day off."

When asked by an audience member if he feels any prejudice today, Fort Scott High School sophomore and panelist Jack Olin said, "no," adding he is treated the same way by everyone.

Dave Schafer, chief of interpretation, education and cultural resources at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka and Fort Scott Community College graduate, speaks to the audience during a talk titled "Remember. Celebrate. Act. A Day On, Not a Day Off" Monday afternoon on the FSCC campus. Schafer discussed the noted civil rights leader's contributions and such topics as slavery, racism and racial equality. The talk was part of an all-day celebration hosted by FSCC. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune)

"I have a lot of friends," he said. "It's all the same."

Local historian Don Miller said his summer youth baseball team hadn't performed well the year before schools were integrated in 1954. He said he was excited about the prospect of getting many talented black players.

"I thought 'Wow, we're going to be bad to the bone next year,'" he said. "We didn't care about color. We were all on the same team."

Panel member Darlene Doherty said she has some black friends from high school who she said will never return to Fort Scott because of the way they were treated in school.

"They're not coming back for any reunion," she said. "I am so sad because we shared classes together and high school things together. We must have been blind to this as teenagers."

Guest speaker for a separate event was Dave Schafer, currently the chief of interpretation, education and cultural resources at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka. During his presentation, titled "Remember. Celebrate. Act. A Day On, Not a Day Off," Schafter discussed slavery, racism, racial equality and the power of King's various speeches.

"His powerful words, eloquent words -- words that still reach us today," he said. "MLK's dream was deeply rooted in the American dream."

Schafer also talked about the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, a historic U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1954 that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The ruling paved the way for integration and the civil rights movement.

Schafer, an FSCC graduate, began his career at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. He has worked at the Brown v. Board of Education site since 2009.

Organized by FSCC faculty and staff and community members, Monday's activities also included a play, a film screening and other presentations.