June 9, 2010 - Over the past few weeks, Boght Hills sixth graders have been studying the Civil Rights Movement in class. On Wednesday, June 9, they were treated to a very special assembly that enhanced their knowledge of this significant time in American history.

Mr. James Owens, a Latham resident, visited with Boght Hills sixth graders on Wednesday and spoke to them about  his life, moving from a segregated to a de-segregated world.

Mr. Owens and four other young men were the first black students to integrate Salesianum High School for Boys, an all-white Catholic High School, in Wilmington, Delaware in 1950. The principal of the school, Father Lawless, wanted his school integrated even before Federal law required schools to do so. Being a parochial school, Salesianum was not subject to the same rules as public schools which were either black or white. The program was so successful and all the students benefitted so much that the Bishop of the Wilmington Diocese, a true trailblazer, wanted all the Catholic schools to be integrated. Mr. Owens explained that education for black students was much better in all black schools rather than mostly white, integrated schools.

Mr. Owens discussed additional trials and triumphs during the time he served in the military. He was part of an all black regiment with all black leaders. He spoke of the inability to go out with his buddies for an evening off-base because they were not welcome simply because of the color of their skin.

Being an athlete was a tremendous help to Mr. Owens for making friends as well as putting an end to prejudicial comments. His attitude has always been to react with no reaction. Mr. Owens recalled his grandfather telling him to “Put your duck feathers on.” meaning “Let it roll off your back.” This non-violent strategy has served him well and now he teaches this to his own children and grandchildren.

The Boght Hills community is tremendously grateful to Mr. Owens for speaking with the students and to Mr. Hanrahan for inviting him. The opportunity to make history come alive in the classroom makes learning more authentic and creates a deeper understanding for students.