On Feb. 12 Blackburn College provided transportation to a NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Banquet at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois. Director of Diversity and Inclusion Jarrod Gray said, “…I think connecting with our surrounding communities in Springfield and St. Louis are essential activities to have a well rounded and engaging college experience. Also, I believe it is especially important to offer all students an opportunity to engage, connect, and become part of a community with a strong historical emphasis on equal rights. As we know, Carlinville and Blackburn are both predominantly white communities and joining in other communities and efforts that promote racial inclusion is good not only for students of color but also for white students.”
Blackburn students were treated to a meal at the event.
Once they arrived at the event, Blackburn students were provided with a table, food and listened to several local speakers. One of these speakers was Springfield and Illinois NAACP Chapter President Teresa Haley. Haley recognized Blackburn’s presence by having them stand up and be applauded by the audience. When asked why she thought it was important for young people to attend events like these Haley said, “We really like to highlight our students… to remind the adults that we have young people out here doing incredible things…” Sophomore political science major Deja Luckett enjoyed the event and said, “I think it’s important that they choose to honor older black people, it was a nice gesture.”
The speakers also gave a brief history about the origins of the NAACP in Illinois and Springfield. In 1908 the incarceration of two black men for alleged crimes against white people (one of them was later proved innocent). In response. a white lynch mob numbering 5,000 to 10,000 went to the Springfield jail and demanded Sheriff Charles Werner release the prisoners so that they could be lynched. Fearing a mob Werner had already taken the precaution of moving the prisoners to Bloomington. After the mob learned this, they went on to attack black residential and business areas of the city. By this time, the mob had swelled to at least 12,000 and the local militia had to be activated to keep order. The mob burned down black-owned homes and, when the fire department was called, the mob impeded their progress by getting in their way and cutting their hoses. At the end of the riot there was $200,000 worth of damage done to black businesses and homes and seven were reported dead; this number is rumored to be higher.
As a direct result of this race-riot, concerned African Americans and whites traveled to New York City to discuss the a solution to the social and racial problems of the time. They formed the NAACP in 1909 and quickly established themselves as one of the leading civil rights groups. “Knowing the history and being born and raised here,” said Haley, “…you see things that you want to improve and being a part of this community I feel not only honored, but obligated as a Springfield resident to work hard and improve race relations.”