When he was just nine years old, Ron embarked on a daring adventure that his parents and I were completely unaware of. He decided to take a mile-long walk from our home to the local library. This was in 1959, a time when public libraries were not so public for black folks. As he walked into the library, he attracted the attention of the white patrons who were not accustomed to seeing a black child in their midst.
Ron, undeterred by the stares, positioned himself in line to check out his books. However, he was met with resistance from the librarian who told him that the library was not for colored people. When Ron insisted on checking out his books, the librarian threatened to call the police. Unfazed, Ron propped himself up on the counter and calmly stated that he would wait.
The librarian followed through on her threat and called the police, as well as my mother. Two burly police officers arrived at the scene and asked about the disturbance. The librarian pointed to Ron, the nine-year-old boy sitting on the counter. Meanwhile, my mother arrived, having prayed the whole way there, hoping that her child would not be put in jail.
When my mother asked the librarian about the problem, she was told that Ron wanted to check out a book and that he shouldn’t be there. One of the police officers suggested that the librarian should just give Ron the books. My mother assured the librarian that Ron would take good care of the books. Reluctantly, the librarian handed over the books to Ron. When prompted by his mother, Ron politely thanked the librarian.
Later on, as youngsters, we started watching a TV show called “Star Trek.” The show depicted a future where black and white people worked together. I saw it as science fiction, something that was unlikely to happen. However, Ron saw it as a possibility. He grew up during the time of Neil Armstrong and other astronauts, which inspired him.
Despite being a colored boy from South Carolina, wearing glasses, and having never flown a plane, Ron dreamed of becoming an astronaut. He refused to accept societal norms as his own. He believed that those norms were meant for other people, not him. And eventually, he got to be aboard his own Starship Enterprise.
Create a timeline of Ron’s early life and significant events. Use the information from the article to mark key moments such as his walk to the library, the encounter with the librarian, and his inspiration from “Star Trek.” Illustrate each event with drawings or pictures.
In groups, act out the scene at the library where Ron insists on checking out books. Assign roles such as Ron, the librarian, the police officers, and Ron’s mother. Discuss how each character might have felt during the encounter and what you can learn from their actions.
Choose a book that you think Ron might have wanted to check out from the library. Read the book and write a report about why you think Ron would have been interested in it and what lessons or enjoyment he might have gained from reading it.
Have a class discussion about the importance of equality and access to public spaces like libraries. Talk about how things have changed since 1959 and what still needs to be done to ensure everyone is treated fairly. Create a poster that promotes equality and inclusiveness.
Just like Ron dreamed of becoming an astronaut, write in your journal about your own big dreams. What do you want to achieve in the future? What steps can you take now to work towards your dream? Share your journal entries with the class if you feel comfortable.
early life – The period of a person’s life before reaching adulthood.
Her early life was filled with poverty and hardships.
adventure – An exciting or remarkable experience.
They embarked on an adventurous journey through the Amazon rainforest.
parents – A person’s mother and father.
Her parents were supportive and always encouraged her to follow her dreams.
unaware – Having no knowledge or understanding of something.
He was completely unaware of the surprise party planned for his birthday.
public libraries – Libraries that are open to the general public.
Public libraries provide free access to books and resources for everyone.
resistance – The act of opposing or withstanding something.
Despite facing resistance, she persevered and accomplished her goals.
librarian – A person in charge of a library, responsible for organizing and assisting with books and resources.
The librarian was knowledgeable and helped patrons find the information they needed.
police – A law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining order and enforcing laws.
The police arrived at the scene to investigate the reported crime.
mother – A female parent.
His mother always supported him in pursuing his dreams.
disturbance – An interruption or disruption of peace or order.
The loud noise caused a disturbance in the neighborhood.
inspiration – Something or someone that stimulates creativity or motivation.
The breathtaking scenery served as an inspiration for her paintings.
Star Trek – A popular science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry.
Star Trek has captivated audiences for decades with its imaginative storytelling.
TV show – A program or series of episodes broadcasted on television.
They enjoy watching their favorite TV shows together on weekends.
future – The time or period that will come after the present.
She has high hopes and dreams for her future.
science fiction – A genre of speculative fiction that explores imaginative and futuristic concepts.
He has always been fascinated by science fiction novels and movies.
possibility – The state or condition of being possible.
With hard work and dedication, anything is a possibility.
Neil Armstrong – The first person to walk on the moon, an American astronaut.
Neil Armstrong’s historic moon landing was a significant achievement for humanity.
journey – A long trip or travel from one place to another.
Their journey took them through breathtaking landscapes and diverse cultures.
astronaut – A person who participates in space missions.
Becoming an astronaut has been his lifelong dream.
societal norms – Accepted behaviors and expectations within a specific society.
She challenged societal norms by pursuing a career in a male-dominated field.
Starship Enterprise – Fictional starship from the Star Trek series, serving as the primary setting for the show.
The crew of the Starship Enterprise embarked on various missions across the galaxy.
