KIRKWOOD, Mo. – Nearly 10 years after the shooting at Kirkwood City Hall, residents are preparing to remember the six victims.
It’s believed the gunman, Cookie Thornton, was angry about the treatment of African Americans in the Meacham Park neighborhood of Kirkwood.
5 On Your Side went to the neighborhood to talk with Harriet Patton, who has lived there her entire life to get her perspective on what has changed and what needs to change in the community.
Patton was born and raised in Meacham Park. As a young girl, she attended Turner Elementary. All of the students were African American. It was just before the Kirkwood School District reorganized and the schools to improve racial balance.
“All African Americans were in our classrooms,” Patton said.
Over the decades, Patton said she has seen injustice and inequality.
“Many residents in Meacham Park felt like, when we voiced our concerns and interests, they were not heard, not acted upon,” Patton said.
More recently, Patton said, there has been progress. The neighborhood park and playground have been restored. And, there are more opportunities for students, including scholarships and a STEM programs.
“We had a Meacham Park Scholarship. We had three scholarships for three students,” Patton said.
Also, residents of Meacham Park worked with the City of Kirkwood and the Kirkwood School District on an annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. Recently, the newly-hired Kirkwood Superintendent met with Meacham Park community members.
“When we come to the table and dialogue, we found this is a route to open the closed doors that have never been open,” Patton said.
Still, Patton said there is more work ahead. There are African Americans on the Kirkwood City Council and School Board. Patton said she would like to, one day, see an African American mayor or police chief.
“In the leadership, we need to see that. It's our goal and objective, and it's right in front of us,” Patton said.
For more information on Meacham Park, click here.
