silence. Mom asks why what my teacher talked to me about, and I tell her about my homework, and she smiles at me when I get started on it at the kitchen table. With the amount of work I have been assigned, I don't really have the energy to think about what she told me. I work late into the night on my homework, partly because Mom made me, but mostly because I didn’t want to let Mrs. Moore down. When I finally finish, I fall right into bed.... exhausted. The next morning, on the way to school, I think about the dangers of what was going on for our people. I think I understand what adults go through, and it is terrifying. Do I really want to get involved in that? I remember my parents telling me to stay out of it. I think they want me to stay safe. That would be easy, to just let it go and let other grownups handle it. It is what I should do. I see Rachel standing by our tree, but instead of speeding up to see her, I slow down. I need more time to think. I should let the adults handle it. They are bigger and smarter and older than me. Then I think about what Jonathan Daniels told me. I can do anything I can set my mind to. Maybe I am tiny, but maybe my size doesn’t define me. Maybe I can make an impact by just adding to the number of people who want to make a difference. The things that are going on are affecting my parents, my friends, everyone I know. I suppose it will even affect me someday. Maybe the adults can handle it, and I can stand by, but I want to be part of this. I want to be involved in something, and I feel a passion for this. We deserve to be treated the same way as anyone else. No matter what we look like or where we come from. I want to stand up for what is right. I walk over to Rachel. She looks happy to see me, but her expression turns from joy to confusion as she looks at my tired face. “Did you have a lot of homework from missing school?” She asks me. “Yeah, but I was able to finish it,” I say vaguely. “Well, that's good.” She says, “Sheyann, what’s wrong? You look, different” “Rachel, you know how not very many black people are able to vote?” “Yeah, why?” "Well, Mrs. Moore, my teacher, sort of told me why that is, and the challenges adults face are really scary.” We walk in silence for about a minute before Rachel asks, “Can you tell me what Mrs. Moore told you?” I explain everything I can to her. About the different tests and the citizen's council and the intimidation black people face just because of their color. I speak quietly, and I watch Rachel listen to me. The frown on her face seems to get deeper the more that I talk. When I finish, she stays quiet for a little while. “So, what do you think?” I ask finally. “I think...” She pauses for a moment, “I don’t know what to think. What you just told me is unfair and terrible, and really dangerous. My parents have told me a little bit about what is going on, but they have never made it sound so scary. But I also don't want to leave it completely... alone. You know?” “I think I know exactly how you feel. I mean, this might not end super well. But, if we don’t like, stand up, then all the change will happen without us.” I am so happy she came to a similar conclusion as me that I begin to talk faster and faster, “I don’t think we are too young to be part of this. I mean, we may not be able to do all the stuff the grownups do, but we can still be part of it! And this is a big movement and it means something important. I don’t know if it will be fun, but I don’t think we will regret doing this.” I say goodbye to her at the church and go to school. I only have a couple minutes to spare, so I walk straight to class. Once I turn in my homework, the day continues as normal. We learn about math and literature, science and history. During our history segment, after talking about our founding fathers, Mrs. Moore takes the conversation in a new direction. “So, I don’t know if you have heard, but there have been certain Civil rights meetings going on in town. Now, tomorrow, a very special person is coming. His name is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and he is fighting for people like you and me to have equal rights. Just letting you guys know in case someone brings it up in the next few days. Now, it is time for silent reading. Go grab one of the books off the shelf and log how many pages you get through.” I walk over and grab a random book from our small class library. I flip to the first page and begin reading. I try to focus on the words, but my mind drifts somewhere else. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I think I have heard that name before. But where? Oh yes! Right before we had to leave the meeting a few days ago those adults mentioned him. I try to remember what they were talking about. Something about meeting with the president and working for our cause. He sounds like a really important guy, and he is coming here! Mrs. Moore said he was coming tomorrow, which is Saturday. I’ll have to get away from home so I can meet him. The bell rings, but like yesterday I sit in my seat and wait for my classmates to leave. Mrs. Moore notices me sitting by myself from across the room and smiles. “Come here Sheyann. What questions do you have for me today?” Walking over, I say, ‘I was wondering if you could tell me more about the man who is coming tomorrow?” “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Why certainly. He has been a leader for our civil rights movement for about ten years. Instead of leading violent protests like others have, he leads more peaceful protests. That means that instead of yelling in the streets, he would lead people to just march without starting a fight. He has also made some amazing speeches that have moved a lot of people. He also won the Nobel Peace Prize last year. The Nobel Peace prize is basically recognition for someone's outstanding achievements in certain areas which include promoting world peace. I think he is going to help organize a march here in Selma.” “Where is he going to be?” I ask. “Well, I do not know for sure.” Mrs. Moore says, “But I think he is going to arrive at Brown Chapel A.M.E.Church” “Thank you very much, Mrs. Moore,” I say, looking at the clock. If I want to make it home on time, I need to leave now. “Have a safe walk home, and don’t forget your homework.” I leave her class and begin the journey home. When I reach the church and meet up with Rachel, I tell her about how Martin Luther King Jr. is coming tomorrow. “So, what's the plan?’ She asks me. “Do you want to meet him?” “Yeah! Don’t you?” “Yeah, of course. I just don’t know how Mom is going to let me out of the house because of what happened with the meeting.” “Well, what about this,” she says, ‘We could both do our homework tonight. Make sure you are finished at around six. Then I could ask mom if she will let me play with you tomorrow. She could call your parents and then we can play on the lawn of the church like always. Would that work?” “That sounds perfect!” I cry. “I can’t wait!” "Alright, just make sure you have your homework done. I doubt your parents will let you go if you are not finished.” “Got it. Homework is done by six. No problem.” We walk and laugh and talk to each other all the way home. When I walk through the door, I greet my parents and immediately start my homework. The clock reads 4:30, and I keep checking on it to see how much time has passed. I try to focus on my math and reading assignments. Finally, after my last science worksheet, I am finished with my work. The clock reads 5:50. I made it with ten minutes to spare. I pull out a coloring sheet and begin drawing another picture for the fridge. Finally, at 6:02, our phone rings. I hear Mom yell that she is coming as she runs into the kitchen. “Hello?” She says as she picks up the phone. “Oh, Mrs. West! How are you? Oh, I’m doing just fine.” She smiles into the phone. That is a good sign. She listens to Mrs. West for a while, until she says, “Can Sheyann play with Rachel tomorrow? Um, well…” She looks at me for a minute. I look hopefully at her with a big smile on my face. “Well, she seems to be done with her homework, so I don’t see why not. … alright. Sounds good. Talk to you soon...goodbye”. I walk over to Mom as she hangs up the phone and give her a hug. “Thank you, Mom.” “You’re welcome. Now go set the table. Dinner should be ready in five minutes” Dinner is delicious. I shower and pick out a fun outfit for tomorrow. I go to bed and dream about what this famous Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be like.