Commentary
King's message not lost on youth
MATT KRUEGER Sports Reporter
It's easy to say today's youth doesn't appreciate the sacrifices and differences made by its parents, grandparents and every older generation. Because usually it's true.

Children pay more attention to iPods, Playstations and the latest reality shows than civics.

But those kids who took the court at Buffalo State College Monday in the fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Basketball Challenge knew full well what that day meant. And it's a heck of a lot more than giving up a day off of school to play ball.

The kids, whose parents were children themselves when King was murdered, came to play a slate of non-league games in memory of the great civil rights activist. But history was not lost on the athletes who suited up Monday. They know the stories and lessons learned from King's triumphs and eventual tragic death, even if it is only from their social studies classes.

"It means a lot for all that he did for everybody, by showing every type of race that we all should be equal," St. Joe's senior Domonic Cook said. "It's great to have so many races out here playing against each other. It shows everything that he has done."

The Challenge featured a wide mix of talent from all across Western New York. It had Buffalo schools McKinley and City Honors, Catholic schools St. Joe's and Canisius and suburb schools Kenmore West, Franklinville and Batavia. It represented the melting pot of our country with athletes from many different ethnic backgrounds.

It may look like just a four-game series showcasing some of the best talent in Western New York, but there is much more to the Challenge than that. It demonstrates all of the advancements we as a society have made in the 40 years since King's tragic death.

His dream may not have been realized yet - racism remains prevalent in this country despite the strides made to eliminate it - but King was crucial to laying the foundation for future generations to enjoy a day of basketball without having to worry about who is drinking from which water fountain.

"Today is a great deal," Buffalo Public Schools Supervisor of Athletics Aubrey Lloyd said Monday. "We're celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., and what better way to do it than have eight great teams from the Western New York area come out and play basketball. We've invited several teams from as far away as Batavia. These are high-powered teams that wanted to come here and show their talents."

In his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, King said he wanted to see the day when "little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers." Well that's what happened Monday, when race wasn't an issue. The only thing that mattered was good basketball between teams that were still learning to play together.

Not even the freezing rain and harsh winds could put a damper on the Challenge. Inside the warm walls, fun ran rampant.

The Challenge and the athletes playing in it provide a view of the future King envisioned. While it may be out of reach for the older generation, the hope is still there with these kids.

e-mail: mkrueger@beenews.com