Kansas City`s Road to Equality
Transcript
Kansas City`s Road to Equality
CLASSES HELD AT: Central United Methodist Church 5144 Oak, Kansas City, Missouri A program of Fridays March 28—June 6, 2014 Spring 2014 Edition ADVENTURES Offers learning and unlimited fun with classes, speakers and new friends. Come for one class or enjoy several! Only $15 for an entire 10-week curriculum. More Details: www.sccentral.org Visit us at www.sccentral.org Welcome to the 2014 Spring Term! Adventures in Learning is warming Spring up with a new class schedule! Of course our popular favorites will return: Line Dancing, News and Views, Spanish, Travelogue, Sit & Be Fit, and Needlecraft. Our Potpourri Class has it all, from discussion groups to life histories. Noon Forum features local celebrities like meteorologist Gary Lezak, broadcaster John Tibbets, and moviemaker Harold Finch, as well as musicians, authors and world travelers. Our signature series... No classes on April 18, Good Friday Kansas City’s Road to Equality Fifty years ago this July, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. It was a nod to JFK’s urging of the previous year. In June 1963, our then President Kennedy asked for action guaranteeing equal treatment of every Health Checks American regardless of race. He proposed Congress consider civil rights legislation A representative from Visiting Nurse Association will be check- to address voting rights, public accommodations, school desegregation, nondiscriming fasting blood sugar and blood ination in federally-assisted programs, and more. Kennedy was dead by November. pressure on the first Friday of the Eight months after JFK’s death, President Johnson signed the most sweeping civil Spring Session—March 28th from rights legislation since pre-1877 Reconstruction. Johnson’s legendary finesse had 8:30-10 a.m. overcome a southern Democrat filibuster and convinced Republicans to support the bill. It outlawed segregation in businesses and banned discriminatory employment SPECIAL THANKS... practices. It ended segregation in public places including swimming pools, libraries, to the John Locke Society. This and public schools. That meant Swope Park and Southwest High School. distinguished group of retired Other timely issues began pushing in: U. S. advisors in Vietnam, the Beatles on Ed area physicians has graciously Sullivan, Barry Goldwater. Our world would change with or without us. provided speakers for several of This Spring Series features ordinary people who did amazing things here to promote our Health Enrichment classes. equality. Whether it was residents creating a neighborhood coalition to oppose We are indebted to them for red-lining, or a school drop-out studying federal law at our downtown library to sharing their time and expertise. fight for fair convictions. Others stepped out to integrate our city council and police department. Come listen to people who tried to make things better those first years. Not everything worked, but it was the beginning. Adventures in Learning meets 40 Let’s take a look. It was our time. Fridays per year, thanks to our dedicated volunteers who plan the programs and run the operations on GARDENING...and So Much More Friday mornings. If you’d like to be You may be a veteran gardener, or just someone who enjoys the view part of a fun, talented and committed from your patio on a summer evening. This session’s Gardening series volunteer group, call covers everything from Herbs/essential oils, Preparing your garden for Shepherd’s Center Central, spring, Pest control, and Bonsai plants—to name just a few! Stop in— 816-444-1121 or look us up: you’re sure to find a topic that will get you in the mood for Spring. www.sccentral. org Getting To Know You Rod Sampson, Always Exceeding Expectations Longtime Adventures’ host, Rod Sampson loves to be up front and busy. He didn’t begin that way. Born in 1927, Rodney Jay Sampson grew up in Racine, WI: A tiny, sickly only child, with a hovering mother. But in 4th grade, the girls began calling him “skyscraper.” His growth period didn’t end until he was 6’2”. Not puny anymore, he thought he’d be a professional athlete. Not the only time, he would overcome low expectations. In 1944, he joined the Army’s Combat Engineers at 17 years. He could type so they made him a corporal. Done two years later, he moved to KC where his parents had transferred. He studied at Pathfinder Radio Announcing School, then earned an English BA at KCU. While attending radio school, he joined a light opera company singing baritone. At this point, he’d learned engineering, radio announcing, English, sports and singing. So, of course, he began a life-long career in insurance. They told him he lacked people skills and would never be a manager. So…Rod became a supervisor. For one company he taught the business in a four-state territory. Always in sports, he played baseball, basketball, and bowled. He married Dorothy, a KCU grad, in 1950. It’s been 64 years now. They raised four sons and Rod became a Cub Scout leader. The boys: Rod II - in computer science, Joel - a St. Louis architectural draftsman, Frank - a successful businessman in Taiwan and John - an Army Ranger. John was tragically killed in 1991. Rod and Dorothy have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Rod joined Adventures after his 1991 retirement. The couple took many cruises to the Caribbean (Dorothy’s mom was Jamaican), but keep close to home these days. He’s chief cook and bottle washer and Dorothy depends on him. He slowed down; lost some weight. But every Friday, he’s at Adventures. He plans “Potpourri” classes and is a Leadership Team member. He never quits; he keeps on going on. “ ADVENTURES” FRIDAY MORNING SCHEDULE 9:00 Needlecraft Laverna Land, Melba McFadden Potpourri (See insert) Special Series: “Gardening” (See insert) 10:00 Line Dancing Mary Lou Snyder Travelogue (See insert) News & Views Dick Ballentine Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. You’re always welcome in the Hospitality Room beginning at 8:30 a.m. Stop by for coffee, treats & conversation! Visiting Nurse Association’s Spanish Cher Bonilla Terri Finnigan, R.N. will join us on these dates for health checks: Special Series: “Kansas City’s 11:00 Road to Equality” (See insert) Sit & Be Fit Anne Massa Health Enrichment (See insert) 1:30 p.m. Bridge and board games March 28—Fasting blood sugar and blood pressure April 25—Blood pressure only 8:30—10 a.m. AD V E N T U R E S I N L E AR N I N G Noon Forum Fabulous Speakers. Terrific Topics. Noon Forum starts Fridays at noon and adjourns at 1:15 pm. Pay in advance for lunch or you may bring your own sack lunch. March 28 Zoe Melcher May 9 Phil Dixon For more than 30 years, author Phil S. Dixon Conservatory of Music and Dance, where she has recorded African-American topics, and is earned a bachelor’s degree of Music in Perforregarded as an expert on baseball and boxing mance. Melcher has performed in many UMKC history. He has authored nine books and won opera productions. Playing her guitar and acthe Casey Award for the Best Baseball Book companied by a pianist, she’ll perform a variety of songs of 1992. He’ll talk about Jack Johnson, the first African ranging from pop, ballads, 50’s & 60’s music to jazz. American heavyweight-boxing champion. April 4 Harold Finch A brief look at Finch’s multi-faceted career: An educator, he helped found Johnson County Community College. A scientist, he was a NASA project director for the Apollo missions. An entrepreneur, his business firm has trained one million professionals. The movie “Unlimited,” loosely based on his life, was released in 2013. May 16 Jim Chappell Chappell’s Restaurant & Sports Museum opened in North Kansas City in 1986. The restaurant started out as a small political/sports bar and grill. Chappell’s hobby for collecting became a passion, and the restaurant filled with sports memorabilia. In 2014 Sports Illustrated ranked Chappell’s 10th of the country’s top 25 sports restaurants. April 11 Gary Lezak Gary Lezak, chief meteorologist for KSHB 41 Action News, will discuss his experiences as a meteorologist. Lezak was raised in Southern California where he was fascinated by clouds and rain, but always wondered why the weather seemed to be more exciting elsewhere. He received a B.S. in Meteorology and became Chief Meteorologist at KSHB in 1999. May 23 Greg Cotton Greg Cotton is a life-long soccer fan and strong supporter of Sporting Kansas City (formerly the Kansas City Wizards) since its inception in 1995. Cotton helped found the Heart of America Soccer Foundation to keep soccer in Kansas City. Now Executive Vice President and General Council for Sporting KC, he’ll tell about this increasingly high profile professional soccer team, winner of 2013 Major League Soccer Cup. April 25 John Tibbets John Tibbetts, an associate professor in the Department of Film & Media Studies at the University of Kansas, will discuss celebrity interviews with Hollywood stars. Author, educator, broadcaster, artist and accomplished pianist, he holds a Ph.D. from KU in Multi-Disciplinary Studies. Currently he is working on a book about Australian cinema. May 30 Cory Sorio “Adventures” member Cory has a BSN degree from Manila, Philippines, an MSN degree from UMKC, and a Transcultural Nursing certificate from University of Northern Colorado. She led service trips to Guatemala as part of her elective course offering in Culture and Health Care. She’ll share stories and pictures from medical missions to the Philippines. June 6 Chuck Haddix May 2 Therese Park Chuck Haddix is director of the Marr Sound ArBorn and raised in South Korea, Therese Park chives, a collection of 340,000 historic recordcame to America in 1966 to be a cellist with ings housed in the Miller Nichols Library at the the Kansas City Philharmonic (now the symUniversity of Missouri-Kansas City. Haddix has phony. After 30 years she retired and began contributed to a variety of theatrical, recording, writing. She has published three novels and since 2009 has video and film projects. He’ll talk about his book, The Life been writing “Commentary” in the Star-Johnson County and Music of Charlie Parker, which was published in 2013 Neighborhood News. Park has published more than 120 by the University of Illinois Press. articles and essays locally, nationally and internationally. Our program is made possible by the work of our many dedicated volunteers. 2014 Leadership Committee Marjorie Roberts, Chair Pam Bauer Jim Carolan Dowe Harris Marty Hatten Shirley Legg John Lutjen Terry Moran Melba McFadden Rod Sampson Everyone is Welcome! Adventures in Learning is a program of Shepherd’s Center Central. Classes are held at Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak. Enjoy just one class or stay from 8:30a.m. to 1:15 p.m. each Friday. Our 10-week curriculums are planned year-round for mid-life and older adults. Regular registration for an entire 10 week session is only $15. For those who can afford an additional donation, Sponsor level is $30 and Patron is $45. Scholarships are available. You are welcome to come to any or all classes and stay for the Noon Forum each Friday. Bring a sack lunch to Noon Forum or RESERVE LUNCH ($5.00) by noon Wednesday prior to the program. (816-4441121.) Low-cost transportation may be available for those nearby. Member Agency e Yo ! C y to way side d histor isit is al k In Loo vents an ur first v h oo en 5200 Oak curr rom ish. Kansas City, MO 64112 ics f n p a in to and Sp 816-444-1121 ses ! clas dening us out www.sccentral.org r r 40 k ove ing, ga o chec c s rom se f ine dan FREE, l s KANSAS CITY, MO. PERMIT NO. 3029 t PAID NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE Kansas City’s Road to Equality Each 50-minute class is at 11 a.m.at Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak Street, KCMO March 28 Brown vs. Board of Education May 9 Joie Tenenbaum In 1951, Esther Brown, a white Jewish woman, was incensed by Merriam, KS’s dilapidated school for black children. Students were required to use an outhouse. She sued Topeka’s Board of Education. The United States Supreme Court agreed. Dan Weddle, UMKC Law professor, brings his expertise to this pivotal legal case. In 2012, a local rabbi and a black minister led a bus trip to Atlanta, Selma and Birmingham. This 10-day event was called “Blacks and Jews Travel the Road Together: a Civil Rights Journey.” AL’s Joie Tenenbaum and 23 others took that bus. Joie, our “Curtain Up!” class’s longtime leader, recounts the trip. April 4 Alvin Brooks May 16 Joe Louis Mattox Raised during segregation, Brooks chose building bridges not bitterness. When Kresge’s was the only downtown place African Americans were allowed to eat (one hot dog in the alley), Brooks entered our segregated police department. Later, a city councilman and he also co-founded the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime. In the 1950s and 60s, KC’s Black Americans were restricted to Swope Park’s Shelter House #5 called “Watermelon Hill.” Mattox, local historian and independent scholar at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center and State Museum, also speaks on President Truman’s civil rights support. April 11 Alvin Sykes May 23 Blue Hills Homes Eighth-grade dropout Sykes studied federal law at our public library. In 1980, after no one was convicted of a KC musician’s murder, Sykes found a key phrase in 1968’s Civil Rights Act and won a retrial. His focus on other unsolved murders resulted in the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act. Father Norman Rotert, St. Louis Parish’s pastor, founded Blue Hills Homes in 1974 with Pete Cole as Executive Director. They set out to battle social and economic challenges faced by residents of KC’s Blue Hills Neighborhood through affordable housing. Jo Ann Bussinger is the current Executive Director. April 25 Joanne Collins May 30 Kansas City to Selma KU alumna Collins served on the City Council of Kansas City 17 years representing the Third District at Large. Elected in 1974, she was KC’s first AfricanAmerican Councilwoman. This dynamic woman’s time and energies go to Children’s Mercy Hospital, American Red Cross and the Central Exchange. In March 1965, our TVs showed deadly violence in Selma Ala., as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a peaceful protest for equal voting rights. Nationwide, many saw violent racism for the first time. Sister Rosemary Flanigan, CSJ joined a Kansas City delegation who went down to support the marchers. May 2 49-63 Neighborhood Coalition June 6 Group Remembrances 49-63 Neighborhood Coalition began in late 1970 after neighbors began meeting to discuss fighting red-lining and block-busting. Longtime residents wanted to stay, but also to involve new neighbors as the area grew multi-racial. Ed Hood, one of its founders, is Professor Emeritus of UMKC’s Law School. This last session, we’ll reflect on our own memories of those times. Most of us didn’t protest or march or begin groups. Some of us were raised in homes where racial slurs were routine. Have we changed since 1964? Faye Champion will recite the poignant poem of a mother’s words to her child before the 1963 Birmingham church bomb- Adventures in Learning is a program of Shepherd’s Center Central, made possible by many dedicated volunteers. All classes are held at Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak, Kansas City, Missouri. One payment of $15 covers enrollment for all 10 sessions. Stay for a single class, or attend classes of your choice from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, then attend Noon Forum. Call Shepherd’s Center Central For more information (816) 444-1121 or visit www.sccentral.org POTPOURRI 9:00 AM GARDENING 9:00 AM TRAVELOGUE 10: 00 AM HEALTH ENRICHMENT 11: 00 AM March 28 50 Forward Club Sandra Aust Preparing Your Garden for Spring Mildred Meinke Research Study-Memory Loss Dr. Duane A. Lundervold April 4 Where’s Your Hometown? Discussion Group Rod Sampson Gardening to Feed the Hungry— Crosslines Outreach Glen Hodges Organ Donation Kimberly Morris April 11 Working with Special Needs Children Don Pearson Herbs & Essential Oils for Better Health Lynn Soulier Balance Testing Rockhurst Physical Therapy April 25 Travels with Charlie, Part 2 Janet Culp Kathy Schlesinger Bonsai Plants AARP Homefit Program Marvin Sands May 2 From Classroom to Ski Slope Greg Brown Pest Management for the Everyday Garden Tracy Flowers If Pills Could Talk Rusty Ryan May 9 Bill-Paying Service for Seniors Jill Adams May 16 Small Steps Jim Stoutenborough May 23 ( ) Herb Ziegler National Federation for the Blind Shelia Wright May 30 ( ) Anne Massa Medical Issues via the Internet: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly Rusty Ryan June 6 Spring Session Review & Discussion Rod Sampson If Pills Could Talk Rusty Ryan Chemical Dependence Dr. Karl Becker, M.D. Fiddly Fig Common Lab Tests Ordered by Your Doctor Dr. Alan Forker, M.D. WEEKLY CLASSES include: Line Dancing, Basic Spanish, Bridge, News & Views current event discussions, Sit & Be Fit exercises, Needlecraft, and great “Noon Forum” speakers.