Seniors In Action

Reflections

By Ruth B. Loving

 

African- American seniors should be allowed to contribute to their community because they are valuable human resources and it enables them to make the most of a lifetime of experiences.  Productive retirement is a prescription for wellness--a means of conveying the message that the African American senior is an asset to society.

As we remember the words of “Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound,” we pray and hope for the best for Springfield’s seniors (some 11,000 or more of them including myself).  Sometimes the things happening to us are quite bitter to take.  As elsewhere in our nation, we too need “Dream Keepers.”  In the words of Langston Hughes, “Bring me all of your dreams you dreamers.  Bring me all your heart melodies that I may wrap them up in a blue cloud, away from the rough fingers of the world.”

You see, the people we were in our thirties, forties and beyond were not just replicas of our 20 year-old selves. We really became a different person entirely--a person who gained immeasurable wisdom in the march through life’s changing seasons.  Each stage of life brings its own lessons and joys as we take the way that we are and shape it into people we are yet to become.  Many of our seniors will work in their churches and communities if allowed to well into their 60’s and beyond while others look forward to retirement.

 

In our community you can still see some of our seniors actively working.  Some that come to mind are Ann Mells, a former beautician, who continues to work in her church and senior organizations, such as the Foster Grandparents Program, helping to tutor youth in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center’s After-School Programs and the Summer Day Camp.  John Dawkins continues to be seen at the front reception desk of the Springfield Urban League.  One of the many organizations that Mabel Shariffe belongs to and works with is the Mason Square Advisory Board, where she serves as secretary and outreach worker.  Lucille Gavin works in her church and in senior groups and fraternal organizations. Our State Representative, Benjamin Swan, can be seen conducting business throughout Springfield on a daily basis.

We still regularly listen to our 32-year-old Freedom Choir, formerly

known as the Pastor’s Council Choir, whose members originated from the many churches that joined together to minister with music for our community’s first Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Service at Symphony Hall.  These voices, under the direction of Velma Brown and Josephine Fullilove, two talented and active seniors, are still sought after for performances.

Back in 1965, Mrs. Jessie Jackson was a member of a small group of Springfield’s Black residents trying to answer the call from inmates at Walpole and Norfolk prisons for help with regaining their human rights.  Today, 38 years later, Mrs. Jackson is working with the children of inmates helping them to attend summer camp.  She is a senior still actively involved in the community doing good for others.

We are constantly told, “You sure don’t show or look your age.”  We have learned through the years that the word is mightier than the sword.  Our civil rights activists have always been warriors with the word.  We have gone from slave ships to championships.  We’ve come this far, not just by faith, but with the master’s ability to speak the word with a wise tongue.  Yet, today, we behave as if life is fixed and we have gotten stuck in yesterday’s groove, holding fast to our stuff, our anger and our ideas.  But life is ever changing like a river--rushing, rising, falling, and flowing never again to be what it was.  Yes, change will come whether or not you want it to.

We seniors thank God for every square in the quilt he gave us. Each square tells a story and provides unique warmth giving us a rich and complete life as we struggle with our lives and loves, while keeping our culture throughout those heart breaking years.  Time has shown us we can adapt-- we can dance…

And while continuing through our days, we pause to remember the late Dr. Katherine Jones, Barbara Cuffee, Amanda Jones, Attorney Clifford Clarkson, Reverend James H. Hamer, Reverend Charles Cobb, Alexander B. Mapp, Reverend D. Edward Wells, Corbert Henderson and so many more of our seniors who have passed this way.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is offering computer classes for persons 55 years and over. Classes are held every Friday in the Richard Stebbins Computer Center from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon or from 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m.  For more information or to sign up, please call (413) 746-3655.  See you there.n