This Friday I'm about to attempt a feat that no one has attempted since Roy Jones, Jr. when he played semi-pro basketball the afternoon of his primetime bout to defend his super middleweight boxing title - participate in two day of action events in six hours. At noon, I'll be in Boston for Opening Day ceremony before jumping a plane to Philly and high-tailing it to the Jersey Shore for my friend Emily's wedding, her own personal day of action. Emily's day of action is fifteen years in the making and her romance runs concurrent with the launch of AmeriCorps in 1994, as she has been dating her boyfriend since sophomore year of high school which does prove the adage you can't hurry love. Even more coincidental, Emily is marrying I guy with the last name Off. You read that right. His last name is Off. So, even though her wedding would be considered a Day On by national service standards, it's really the Offs' Day.
In addition to AmeriCorps being signed into legislation and Emily meeting Greg, there is another monumental event that proved young people, if called to action, are ready to lead and make change. Allow me to set the scene. Spring 1994. A sense of wrongness hung in the air at West Beverly High. Young leaders ready to be called to action by a visionary of the same age. Of course, I speak of one of the all-time great day of actions, the final exam walk-out staged by Brandon Walsh and the entire student body, and the battle cry that rang throughout the superintendant's chambers - "Donna Martin Graduates!" For the 27-35 year olds that chant became a euphimistic cheer for fighting unjust laws, political unrest or sticking it to the man anytime a twizzler got stuck in a vending machine.
What will become this generation's "Donna Martin Graduates!"? Lucky for the 17-24 year olds, Opening Day has arrived in time to inspire and kick-off the year of service. And, maybe even just as important, the new 90210 is back on the air, ready to lead.
No comments:
Post a Comment