In this graphic from the cover of “Voices of the Segregated Past,” former E-41/ Region 3 segregated schools are shown. The schools and athletes are the topic of two upcoming presentations at the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center.
(“VOICES OF THE SEGREGATED PAST”)
GLASGOW, Ky. — A story of the Black High School Athletic League will be told two times in the coming days at the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center.
The E-41 Committee has composed a book, “Voices of the Segregated Past,” about the league, which was in place from 1932 through 1958. The committee sought to “recover, present and preserve the memory of these outstanding athletes who made contributions to their communities, the state and the nation,” according to the book’s forward.
The Kentucky Day Law, which was enacted in 1904, prohibited Black and white students from attending school together. The law also prohibited sport participation among the segregated schools.
The Kentucky High School Athletic League developed a series of regions that enabled students from segregated schools to compete in various sports. The southcentral Kentucky league was termed “E-41/ Region 3.”
“Using oral history interview of participating athletes from this era, the E41/ Kentucky High School Athletic League/ Region 3 Project Committee has produced a compelling but succinct narrative on this topic,” said Professor Emeritus of History at Western Kentucky Univeristy, John A. Hardin Ph.D.
Hardin is also the general co-editor of the Kentucky African American Encyclopedia.
“Voices of the Segregated Past” will be presented and a meet and greet will take place with various former players and cheerleaders of the area leagues.
The event will take place April 29 and Saturday, May 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. Both presentations will be similar and at the Cultural Center, which is located at 200 W. Water St. in Glasgow.
The book will be available for review, according to a news release from the Cultural Center.
A video of the presentation will also be available online at a later date.
