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KSMU teamed with Missouri State University Sociology professors Dr. Lyle Foster and Dr. Tim Knapp, who are examining Springfield’s race history through the project The Journey Continues. KSMU's Emily McTavish sat down with some of Springfield's former and current minority residents who discussed their experiences growing up and outlook on today's cultural climate. The stories and interviews displayed below are part of a broader project professors Foster and Knapp are pursuing over the next several months.

SGF NAACP President: Grassroots Effort, Youth Education Needed to Stem Racism, Improve Diversity

Emily McTavish
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KSMU

Cheryl Clay is a product of Springfield Public Schools. She went to Boyd Elementary, Pipkin Middle School and graduated from Central High School. She remembers growing up in very close-knit and vibrant black community.

While she says she had a great childhood, Clay saw no opportunity for herself after high school so she moved away. However, since moving back to Springfield 13 years ago, Clay says things have changed.

“Integration didn’t do the black community in Springfield any favors because it allowed people to move wherever they wanted to move,” Clay says. “But we lost that community. There is really no black community in Springfield any longer.”

clay_cut_1.mp3
Clay on her experience as a minority during her youth and in present day.

Clay says now Springfield doesn’t stack up to other cities. As of 2010, the most recent data available from the United States Census Bureau, Springfield’s third largest city in the state status brings with it a population that is 4.1 percent black. St. Louis’ population is 49.2 percent black and Kansas City is 29.9 percent.

“Most urban cities have a black neighborhood,” Clay says. “They have black shops. They have black beauty shops and hair care shops in those neighborhoods, and in Springfield we don’t have that.”

Clay attributes these low diversity numbers to why black people are either leaving Springfield or not moving here at all.

The door is cracked, but it's not open - Cheryl Clay

“If you’re not made to feel welcome, why would you stay?” Clay says. “In order for Springfield to diversify, it has got to be welcoming to the younger professionals or even the students that are graduating from here. MSU, for instance, they go all across the nation and recruit. They bring them here, give them a scholarship, they get their degree and they leave because there is nothing here for them. The door is cracked, but it's not open. "

clay_cut_3.mp3
Clay's views on institutionalized racism.

Clay serves as the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People branch in Springfield. She says getting continuous participation and attendance at the meetings is challenging.

“It’s hard and it’s frustrating to try and convince people if we all stick together and have a voice then maybe we can make a change,” Clay says. “But as long as you wait on me to make the change for you, it’s never going to happen.

To make changes for a more diverse, accepted community, Clay says efforts need to be done at both the grassroots level, better education of youth beginning at the elementary level on up, and by changes in the makeup of authority.

Hear the complete interview with Clay above. This interview was conducted in partnership with The Journey Continues, a project from Missouri State University Sociology professors Dr. Lyle Foster and Dr. Tim Knapp examining Springfield’s race history. A note of warning, listeners may find some of the comments in the interview objectionable.

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