(China Slaughter sculpture in progress at Martha Aldrige's studio, Kansas City Star, 2017)
Lead From Where You Are
His spirit sings from this sculpture. When we take time to recognize a humble leader, we will lift his great import to this city. Despite segregation, he loved children, and color was insignificant.
Theresa Byrd, of Lawrence 'China' Slaughter
Clarence Gantt's sister, Hazel, married Lawrence 'China' Slaughter, a former Garrison student. Slaughter also began his custodial career there.
After three years at Garrison, China transferred to Franklin, Liberty's whites-only primary school. People who knew him say he kept the gymnasium floor shining like glass and that he knew the name of every student who passed through the doors. He once carried an injured student more than two blocks to Dr. Shrader's office. He might have chosen not to care so much about the children or facilities at a school his own child couldn't attend. But he didn't. |
After receiving his college degree in education...the only job available was a custodian for the Liberty School District. China remained a custodian for the school district for 47 years…[he] exemplified the philosophy of ‘lead from where you are,’ and became known as the finest custodian in the State of Missouri. China offered 47 years of service. That's remarkable. |
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China was a...model citizen...caring and loving...he would tell them [the students] what fine persons they would become. |
His daughter would later, in 1955, become the first African-American yearbook queen attendant of Liberty High School.
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