In recognition of Black History Month, the Courier News is shining the spotlight on some of the many African-Americans who have played a leading role in our community. A different individual will be featured in each edition of the newspaper during the month of February.
The Rev. Emmanuel Lofton remembers having to pay a poll tax in order to cast his ballot.
"It was only a dollar, but back then, a dollar was a lot of money," he said.
When he went to vote, he was handed a ballot and sat at a table to mark it. As he was reviewing his choices, "a man came up and snatched the ballot out of my hand. He asked me if I had voted and if so, to leave. I left. I'll never know whether my ballot was counted or not," Lofton said.
In 1958, the commencement speaker for Lofton's college graduation was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a result, Lofton got involved in the Civil Rights movement in the early 1960s.
"You weren't supposed to be involved in those things then. It was a very volatile time. I was called an activist for speaking out."
Lofton and his family were often threatened because of his actions. A church that Lofton was considering to pastor was even threatened with arson if Lofton was made the minister.
"I weathered that," Lofton said.
Lofton was one of the first black teachers at Blytheville High School. "Before integration, they took a couple of teachers out of Harrison (High School) to teach at Blytheville. It was two years before the school district was integrated, after a lawsuit was filed by parents of students to force integration, Lofton said.
Lofton was also involved in another lawsuit involving the school district. After integration, the district continued to elect school board members at-large, meaning everyone in the city voted for all the seats.
The suit was unsuccessful in local courts, but was appealed up to the 8th Circuit of U.S. District (Federal) courts, where it was affirmed. Now, Blytheville has eight positions on the school board to represent different areas of the city. Most districts in the state have only seven.
Lofton later worked for the state health department. Officials wanted to coordinate a meeting with all the doctors in the county, and it was decided it would take place at the Blytheville Country Club. Lofton wasn't allowed to attend because blacks weren't allowed at the country club.
Now, he visits the country club once a week as a member of the Kiwanis Club.
Although many things have changed over the years, Lofton is still concerned over discrimination issues. "I'm wondering if we're really making progress," he said.
-- Donna Loyd Hilton/Courier News