The census records for 1860 indicate that over 17 percent of the population in Jackson County were enslaved African-Americans. But some in the local African-American community were actually free. One of those former slaves who went on to become not only a free man but a successful businessman was Hiram Young. Just imagine, if you were wanting to start up a small business and the first purchase on your business plan was your own freedom and that of your wife. Hiram Young manufactured some of the best and most durable wagons for a long trip from Independence, across the Rocky Mountains, all the way to California and Oregon. This was probably the most important aspect of this journey. Local African-American history is rich and important to our local, national, and international stories. Years ago, the Independence School District recognized their responsibilities to educate children of all races and established segregated black school while naming the school Young School after Hiram Young. And when surrounding towns in Eastern Jackson County actually refused to educate the very few African-American youths in those communities, the Independence School District and Young School welcomed those students. This we should be proud of. Our local African-American heritage is integrated into our local story, a story that shaped and guided a great nation and beyond. So what is the fate of the old Young School? At one time, the Independence School District was in partnership with a local civic club to create a community center with an African-American Heritage Room. But what is the status of that commitment to the African-American community? This is something that certainly needs to be explored, but in the meantime the school district unloaded the building to Habitat for Humanity who is using the building as a warehouse for house parts and plumbing fixtures. The photo above shows a row of white porcelain toilets that line the area just outside the old historic building where young African-American students used to line up to enter their school. Now I’m all for recycling and salvage but not when it dishonors a commitment and a suppressed component of our rich history. Unfortunately, this is not the only example of public school assets being flushed away while ignoring previous commitments. It is important for all citizens of the City of Independence to have a voice in the management, maintenance and disposal of public resources. When these assets have national importance and federal funding is involved (whether from HUD programs, tax credits, CDBG grant programs, etc.), it is actually federal law. And one might also add, it’s also good government. And we shouldn’t just look at the law to determine whether we choose to respect or disrespect our own rich heritage which, by the way, does include our fellow citizens of the African-American community.
