Martin Luther King And The "White Boy"

Did you ever wish you could go back in time and do something over again? You know, “if I had to do it again, I would...” kind of thing? I’m sure we’ve all had this thought at one time or another. Either we want to go back to make a “wrong,” “right”, or relive a memory and do a few things different to make it even more memorable, or, go back and be a part of history, something that changed the lives of millions of people.

For me, if I had to do it again, I would want to go back and be part of the civil rights movement of the 60’s. I was a boy back then and really couldn’t grasp the magnitude of what was going on. I wish I had. To go back and play just a small part of the movement would settle my soul considerably. To do something, anything, make a contribution in some small way. Maybe to sit on the Freedom Rider’s bus. Or to help carry one of the 4 coffins of the little girls who were killed in the 1964 bombing of a Baptist church. Or to sit next to one of the Little Rock 9 in school and be a comfort to him or her. Or maybe be in the Washington Audience listening to the “I Have a Dream Speech” of Martin Luther King. Or be close enough to help hold the arm of the father of Dr. King to keep him from falling when he was overcome with grief at his son’s funeral. Something; anything. It was a moment in time. One of which could never be duplicated. One of which we will never see the likes of again. One of which has died with Dr. King. That moment; that special period of time. That great cause that gave hope to so many. Oh how this “white boy” wished he had been there when it counted.

I guess we never realize the full impact current events have on people until the events becomes history. For you young people today, it’s something to think about. Maybe, just maybe, you may never have to say “if only I...” Maybe your time is now.

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.