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.
Most African-Americans did not participate in the Civil Rights Movement, said Lucretia McDonald, the owner of the oldest black-owned business in Mississippi County: McDonald Horne Funeral Home, which was established by McDonald's parents in 1941.
"Some were very reluctant or even outright afraid to" participate, she said.
Many blacks worked for or were dependent on whites for their jobs or livelihoods. Those people were often afraid to "upset the apple cart" and become involved.
"There were many sympathizers, but there were also many who wanted no part of it," McDonald said. "There were not many local people out on the front lines."
Of the events that were recorded, the photographs and films will verify that many participants in marches and protests came from other towns in other states.
McDonald herself accidentally participated in a "sit in" protest in Memphis.
"My mother and I used to go shopping in Memphis on Saturdays. One Saturday we went to the lunch counter at Woolworth's to get something to eat.
"We noticed that the waitress never came over to take our order, she said.
When they were told that a "sit-in" was in progress, the two quickly left because they didn't want to be involved.
"We knew we had to get all the way back home to Blytheville," McDonald said.
The "sit-ins" were effective because even though the blacks would not be served, it prevented white customers from being served as well.
Such "sit-ins" didn't happen in Blytheville because drug stores removed their lunch counters and booths rather than serve blacks, McDonald said.
"The best thing I ever tasted was a cherry Coke from Rothrock's soda fountain," McDonald said. "I had no qualms about walking up and ordering one, but I would never have sat down and ordered food."
McDonald also recalled the segregation of services.
"I remember the Kress 10-cent store," she said. "They had two water fountains, each with a sign. One said 'white' and one said 'colored.' I would look at that white water and wonder what it tasted like."
As a 16-year old, McDonald went to college in Virginia and got a teaching degree.
She came back at age 20 and began teaching, as her mother had done before her. A sister followed in the profession as well.
"Between the three of us, we have nearly 100 years of teaching experience," McDonald said.
When she first began teaching, McDonald remembers going to pay her poll tax. Although she wasn't old enough to vote, having the poll tax receipt was required to be a teacher.
"That's the way things were."
-- Donna Loyd Hilton/Courier News