This year marks the 50th anniversary of a group of teenagers that are on my list of young people I most admire. They are the Little Rock 9. Ever hear of them? They are a group of 9 african Americans teenagers who had the courage to VOLUNTEER to be the first to integrate an all white school in Arkansas as mandated back in 1957.
Knowing what may lie ahead and the harassment they may take if they chose to do this, they still went ahead anyway. As the students approached the school, they were greeted by an ANGRY mob of white people who waited outside the school to spit on them, throw things at them and scream all kinds of racist names. The city of Little Rock would not call in the national guard to protect these students and the local law was sure enough not going to lift a finger.
Can you imagine the courage it took to walk through this mob day after day and then stick it out until graduation? The class; the dignity by which these students handled themselves in this situation was incredible. I have a lot of respect for these young people because they are still, even after 50 years, an example of how the strongest people in the world are those who sometimes have to stand alone.
Anytime you need a little support; a little courage when it comes to “standing alone,” read about the Little Rock 9. You couldn’t find a better example of how it’s done.
Dan Celentano has worked with a variety of at risk kids for close to
30 years. He is author of a book for teenagers entitled
Ten Essential Facts of Life Every Teenager Should
Know ( see
www.teenage-book.com ), and gives advice to teenagers
on his web site
www.choicesforteens.com In addition to this, Mr.
Celentano speaks to high school students on various issues having to
do with teenagers. Currently Dan is preparing for his next project
which is working with blind children on his ranch.
Dan Celentano is available for freelance writing and can be contacted
at
ranch@copper.net.
Categories
Editors' Choice
