More than 50 people
attended the Black History Commission of Arkansas event, "African Americans
and Sports in Arkansas,” this past Feb. 2 at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.
The event, which was
held as part of Black History Month, drew young and old, including families and
teachers. People listened to special speakers talk about the history of sports
and African Americans in our state.
Some speakers also
talked about their personal experiences. Dr. Wilbert Gaines sang songs
related to his struggles and showed the audience a cotton sack his mother used
to pick cotton.
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| Families listen to special speakers lecture Feb. 2 |
Dr. Gaines became one
of the first African American faculty members at Arkansas State University.
During the event, he spoke about overcoming obstacles while keeping a kind
heart.
"Receiving starts
with giving," Dr. Gaines told the crowd.
Author Jimmy
Cunningham, Jr., also gave a passionate speech on the struggle of African
American athletes from Jefferson County, including Boid “One Arm” Buie. He
described how Buie overcame multiple obstacles, including losing his arm, to
become a world-famous basketball star.
“Right will win over
the long term” Cunningham said.
Muskie Harris, a
former Razorback football star, signed autographs and talked about his
experiences as one of the first African American football players recruited by
the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. Harris said success takes discipline
and work.
Harris also encouraged
the audience to talk with African American youths about more than sports. Children
have the option to grow up and become doctors, lawyers, architects and more,
but they often don’t think about it, Harris said.
A full-length video of
all the speakers is available
online or visit our Facebook
event page to see slideshows, articles, discussions and more.
