Thursday April 4th, 1968

by S. A. Miller

  THURSDAY

  April 4th, 1968

  A story about pursuing your dreams

  by

  S. A. Miller

  THURSDAY

  APRIL 4th, 1968

  A story about pursuing your dreams

  Published by ANG Communications, Inc.

  Fort Wayne, IN

  © ANG Communications, Inc., 2018

  Prologue

  It is the spring of 1968. Moses Derrick is a senior track star at Central High School in Harriston and being a track star in Harriston is a big deal. This town loves its high school track.

  The semi-finals for the City Championship take place on Thursday, April 4th. Central High wins the team championship and Moses wins the 100-yard dash. Moses has always dreamed of being the city champ in the 100-yard dash. Last year, he pulled his hamstring in the finals championship race and was unable to finish. From that moment, he set his sights on getting another chance to win the finals championship race in 1968. Now, with his win in the semi-finals, it is on to the City Championship finals on Tuesday.

  Then, in the evening hours of Thursday, April 4th, 1968, an assassin’s bullet takes the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Suddenly, the joy and excitement that the students of Central High were experiencing is dashed. Winning a track meet, all of a sudden, doesn’t seem as important as it did just a moment ago.

  As a city and a nation mourns, the question arises about whether the City Championship track meet should still take place on Tuesday. The decision is made, and the meet will go on as scheduled even though Tuesday is the same day of Dr. King’s funeral. Moses’ friends tell him he shouldn’t run. They think it’s disrespectful to participate in a track meet on the same day that one of the most revered men who has ever lived is being laid to rest. But, for Moses, running ‘this race is the last chance for him to achieve his dream.

  Family and friends know that winning the city championship is a long-time dream for Moses, especially after the disappointment last year, yet some say he shouldn’t run. Thursday, April 4th, 1968, is the story of how Moses comes to realize that his dream is, indeed, his dream.

  Chapter 1

  The Race

  It is Thursday, April 4th, 1968. High school students from all over the city of Harriston have gathered at the Central High School track and field stadium for the city track championship semi-finals. Radio announcer Art Chester and his analyst Eric Mengault are in the press box calling the meet for radio station WHTN. Chester is a twenty-year broadcasting veteran, and Mengault is a former high school champion in the high jump.

  “It is an absolutely beautiful day here in Harriston with partly sunny skies and a temperature of 65 degrees,” reports Chester.

  “You’re absolutely right, Art. You couldn’t ask for better weather for a track meet. We’ve already seen some fast times in the earlier races and I suspect we’ll see a pretty fast 100-yard dash too,” replies Mengault.

  “As we explained earlier in the broadcast, high school track and field is a major springtime event here in little Harriston. When those cowboys founded this town 100 years ago, they could not have imagined how this community would grow and develop. And high school track has been a very important part of the community the last 40 years,” explains Chester.

  “And that’s why it’s no coincidence, Art, that many of our track stars have gotten college scholarships to run track,” responds Mengault.

  “You being one of them,” adds Chester.

  “Absolutely, and I give a lot of the credit to this community for being so supportive to me and all of its current and former athletes,” replies Mengault.

  “Well as we get ready for the 100-yard dash it’s no secret that Moses Derrick, the senior from Central High School, is the favorite,” reports Chester.

  “Moses is special. He hasn’t lost a race this year,” replies Mengault.

  Chester explains, “Our listeners might recall that Moses pulled up lame in the 100-yard dash championship race last year because of a hamstring.”

  “Right Art,” replies Mengault, “and he was devastated, but he worked hard the past year and has made a complete and total recovery from that injury.”

  “I’m sure he’s ready for this race and looking forward to getting another shot at the championship on Tuesday,” replies Chester.

  Mengault concurs, “Absolutely.”

  As Chester and Mengault continue to preview the race, Moses and the other runners are limbering up, stretching, and adjusting their starting blocks. Moses is a seventeen-year-old senior at Central. Standing at 5’11” and 167 lbs., Moses is a premier athlete. Though he is an outstanding wide receiver on the Central football team, track is his thing. Ever since junior high school, he has dreamed of winning the 100-yard dash in the City Championships. Scoring two or three touchdowns in a game is fine, but for Moses, that does not match the thrill of being the first one to cross the finish line in a race. Now this humble runner is one race away from getting another shot at that 100-yard dash championship.

  The sold-out crowd has settled in for this most anticipated race of the day. Finally, the public-address announcer announces the start of the 100-yard dash:

  “The next event is the 100-yard dash. In lane one from North Side is David Barnes.”

  As each runner is introduced there are varying levels of applause and cheers. Some runners like Moses get a lot of applause, other runners, not so much. The public-address announcer continues the introductions:

  “In lane two from Carver is Eric Robertson. In lane three from Central is Moses Derrick. In lane four from Bethune Academy is Robert Stevens. In lane five is Jason Graham from South Side. In lane six, also from Central, is Johnny Payne. In lane seven from Robinson is Albert Brown. And in lane eight, from DuBois, is John Bridges.”

  The crowd shouts words of encouragement as the starter calls the runners to the line.

  “Runners to your mark...”

  The runners line up on the starting line. Moses positions his hands just right on the line. He shakes out each leg before setting in the blocks. There is a quiet confidence in his movements. He doesn’t rush. He is ready.

  “S...e...t”

  The starter fires the starter pistol and the runners shoot from the blocks. The race is tight for the first 50 yards, then Moses breaks from the pack to take the lead. He crosses the finish line first and the crowd erupts with cheers. Teammates and cheerleaders mob him when he runs over to the stands. Though humble, Moses selfishly soaks in the adulation. Everyone understands how hard Moses has worked to get another chance to win the City Championship. Now it’s on to the finals on Tuesday.

  Chapter 2

  The Softie Freeze

  It is a little after 5:00 pm. The Softie Freeze ice cream shop is mostly empty except for a few students who didn’t go the track meet. Mr. Perry, the owner, is busy working behind the counter as Soul Music plays from the jukebox. The shop is decorated in blue and white which just happens to be the colors of Central High. On the back wall is a bulletin board where students post pictures and announcements. Mr. Perry wants The Softie Freeze to be their place and works hard to make it comfortable for students. He also understands that the more comfortable the shop, the longer students hangout, and the more product that gets sold.

  Most of the students from Central hangout at The Softie Freeze and Mr. Perry keeps them all in line. Though he isn’t quite old enough to be their fathers, all of the students show him that kind of respect. He is a hard-working Black man who works his day-job until 2:00 pm then opens up the shop at 3:00 pm. The students don’t take Mr. Perry’s efforts for granted.

  Cynthea, the “prettiest girl in school”, is sitting at a table reading an issue of JET magazine. The length of her
skirt signifies how proud she is of her legs. Cynthea is not as shallow as many think, but simply has her own agenda that other students don’t readily gravitate to. Nonetheless, she is an after-school regular at The Softie Freeze.

  William, the self-proclaimed militant, is sitting at the counter reading “Soul On Ice”. He’s dressed in jeans, a black turtleneck and leather vest. Covering his Afro is a black beret. Though still a student, William is not one to indulge in organized school activities. He is more interested in promoting the cause of Black Nationalism. It is an agenda he struggles to get his fellow classmates to understand, yet he remains a regular at The Softie Freeze.

  All of a sudden, a short, loud mouth kid with a big ‘Fro comes running into the ice cream shop. Everybody calls him “NewsBoy” because he is the gatekeeper for anything having to do with Central High School or Harriston. If NewsBoy knows it, NewsBoy tells it. Finally catching his breath, NewsBoy makes his announcement:

  “Hey, everybody, we just won! Central won the Semi-finals. We blew everybody away!”

  “Well, alright, then. I knew they would,” responds Mr. Perry. “Is everybody coming this way?”

  “Yes sir, they’re on their way,” says NewsBoy. “But you know I couldn’t wait to come tell you.”

  Cynthea chimes in, “Yes, Newsboy, we know you. You must be the first to tell it.”

  NewsBoy shoots back, “And what’s wrong with that, “Pretty Girl?”

  With a whole lot of attitude, Cynthea replies, “I know I’m pretty. You don’t have to remind me. Why you always into folk’s business?”

  “‘Cause folks got business, that’s why. And I’m gonna stay in yours, too.”

  “Forget you, Newsboy. What’s the big deal about track, anyway?”

  Mr. Perry decides to drop some knowledge on the conversation.

  “It’s tradition! Harriston has always loved track. For some places it’s football or basketball, but for us, it’s track. And Central has always been the best.”

  “Well, I just don’t get it,” says Cynthea. “Seems to me people should be concerned about more important things.”

  “Like what?” asks NewsBoy.

  “Like Senior Prom and the Senior picnic. Nobody gets excited about that. I’ve been trying to get people involved for weeks.”

  “You’re a trip!” laughs NewsBoy.

  NewsBoy turns his attention to Mr. Perry.

  “I’ll be back, Mr. Perry,” says NewsBoy.

  “Okay, NewsBoy. See you later.”

  William was been quiet the whole time NewsBoy, Cynthea, and Mr. Perry were having their conversation, but decides it’s time for him to give his two cents.

  “You know, Cynthea makes a good point,” interjects William.

  Cynthea gets that “See, I told you so” look on her face. Cynthea and William don’t necessarily get along, so this is pleasing to her.

  “About what?” asks Mr. Perry. “The prom?”

  “Oh, heck no,” replies William. He really wanted to say, “Oh hell no”, but deferred out of respect to Mr. Perry.

  William continues, “I think Brothers and Sisters get too hyped about sports. They ought to be focusing on getting power.”

  “You didn’t feel that way two years ago when you were scoring 22 points a game. I can remember you being pretty hyped about being a star athlete,” replies Mr. Perry.

  “That was before I got enlightened,” responds William. “The white man is just using us to fill his own pockets. He knows we have skills, and those skills make him money. What do we get out it? They give us a few token scholarships, but they don’t want us at their schools. They don’t care about us or our education.”

  “So, you’re saying Brothers and Sisters shouldn’t take athletic scholarships to go to college?” asks Mr. Perry.

  “That’s right!” responds William. “Don’t be an enslaved athlete. Brothers and Sisters shouldn’t even waste their time at those white colleges. They’re never going to get a fair shot.”

  Cynthea gets in on the conversation.

  “What about Black colleges? Is it okay for Brothers and Sisters to take athletic scholarships to, say, Morris Brown, or Albany State?”

  “If that’s what they want to do, but those schools are too wrapped up in old tradition,” answers William. “We need to be creating and developing our own new colleges that teach us how to create our own Black Power base.”

  “So, you’re saying Black colleges don’t do that, today?” asks Cynthea.

  “It’s a new day, Cynthea,” replies William. “We can’t be sitting around. We got to move. Things ain’t going to get better unless we make it better, and we have to have our own institutions to teach us how to do that. I don’t see many of today’s Black colleges buying into that concept.”

  Mr. Perry asks William, “Have you ever visited a Black college?”

  “I don’t have to. I know what they’re about,” replies William.

  “Do you know anybody who graduated from a Black college?” asks Mr. Perry.

  “No,” says William.

  “Yeah you do,” replies Mr. Perry. “You’re talking to him right now. I graduated from Southern University in 1959, and I learned a lot about empowerment. A college education is all about getting knowledge, and knowledge is power. HBCUs have always understood that.”

  William answers, “Well, that’s fine Mr. Perry. If Brothers and Sisters want to go that route, so be it. I’m just saying this is a new day. And sometimes a new day calls for a new way. We can’t be passive. It’s not about asking for what you want; it’s about taking what you need.”

  As William finishes his last statement, students from the track meet start pouring into the ice cream shop. Along with Moses are Diane (Moses’ sweet girlfriend), Robert (Moses’, quiet best friend and teammate), Margaret (the patriotic cheerleader), Johnny (the teammate and player-player), and Linda (the top student who tries to be the social conscious of the class). Moses, Robert, and Johnny are all wearing their Central High letterman’s jackets. The navy blue jacket with cream-colored, leather sleeves, and a big white “C” on the front, is a source of pride for any athlete, but Moses really treasures his. He had worked so hard to get his by the beginning of his junior year. Moses is not much for showboating or bragging, but he is really proud of his jacket and does not miss an opportunity to wear it. And if Diane ever asks to wear his jacket, he considers that blasphemous.

  Several other students and members of the track team also come into the shop. They are a loud and happy group. Mr. Perry greets all of the new customers.

  “There they are! The baddest track team in the city!”

  The students respond, “Hey Mr. Perry! We won!”

  “I know. NewsBoy was already here,” replies Mr. Perry.

  Everybody laughs. Margaret and Robert sit down at a table together. Linda and Johnny sit at the table with Cynthea where Johnny commences his “rap” to Cynthea for the 147th time. Diane sits at the counter a few seats away from William, while Moses shakes hands with Mr. Perry.

  “Moses! My man! I hear you blew everybody away!” exclaims Mr. Perry.

  “Thanks, Mr. Perry. I think I ran a good race,” replies Moses.

  Diane interrupts Moses, “Mr. Perry, Moses was out there by himself. Nobody was even close.”

  “Brother was burnin’, huh Diane,” replies Mr. Perry.

  “Smokin’, Mr. Perry, smokin’. He even smoked Johnny!” answers Diane.

  As Diane speaks, it is the look in her eyes that expresses how proud she is of Moses’ track accomplishments, but more than that, the look illuminates a true love and affection for her man.

  “So now it’s on to the finals on Tuesday,” says Mr. Perry.

  “Yes sir,” says Moses. “I can’t wait”.

  “I know you can’t, especially after last year. Man, when you pulled up in the finals with that hamstring, I almost cried. It was your race,” shares Mr. Perry.

  “I know. I know. You just don’t know how hard I’ve
worked to get back to this point. I mean it’s been tough,” replies Moses.

  Diane interjects, “I also know how hard it’s been because there were a whole lot of days when he didn’t even have time for me. All he cared about was winning the City Championship in the 100-yard dash. That’s all he focused on. After Tuesday, maybe I’ll get a little more attention.”

  Diane again uses her eyes to get her point across which prompts Moses to move over to her and give her a peck on her smooth brown cheek. Diane and Moses have been going together since their sophomore year. While short in stature, Diane has no problem speaking her mind. Often called “cute” by Moses, Diane is a good Ying to Moses’ Yang.

  “Come on, Diane, you know how important this is for me,” states Moses.

  Sweetly, Diane says, “Yes, I do,” and gives Moses a reciprocal peck on his cheek.

  As Moses, Mr. Perry, and Diane have their conversation, Margaret has a few thoughts she wants to share with everyone in the room. With a stern voice and a stoic countenance, she declares: “You know as Black Americans we should all be proud of what was accomplished today and should be encouraged to do our very best on Tuesday.”

  Margaret’s comments get William’s attention, so he responds.

  “Come on, Margaret. It’s just a track meet!”

  “Seriously William, a lot of Black people have worked hard just so that we could even have the opportunity to go to school. I mean, it’s only been fourteen years since Brown versus the Board of Education, so we have come a long way...”

  Before Margaret can finish the statement, the other students in the room finish it for her.

  “...but we still have a long way to go!”

  Johnny stands up and salutes Margaret which makes everybody laugh.

  “I’m with you, Margaret,” says Robert.

  Margaret responds to Robert’s endorsement. “You understand, don’t you, Robert?”

  Margaret then focuses her attention directly on Johnny and scolds him.