Graduation Speech: Black Lives
I am white knuckled. I am red cheeked. I am tucked tightly into my scarf and my size 8 red rain boots and I am gleeful and empowered. My voice grows hoarse as I yelp phrases of equality and love. The crowd of us; protesters, activists, members of an upset society, stand together soaking and smiling because we face the unjust world hand in hand. We have hope in our hearts and determination in our eyes and we will help to change the world.
Though we are disheartened, perhaps angered by certain political implications, we light candles in our freezing hands and sing. I climb the railing of the city hall stairs and look out on hundreds of other passionate faces. We sing about loving each other and striving to be better as a country and as individuals. …show more content…
Perched atop the city hall steps a young girl sits singing and holding a candle, staring intently into the flame. She is reading the signs that read, “Black Lives Matter” and “Love Trumps Hate” and her mother’s eyes gleam with pride. This little girl will grow up in a world that is shaped by how adolescents like me work together to change the future. Through what I do when I’m older, a year from now, or 10 years from now, no matter how small, it will change the way life is for that little girl.
I used to be that little girl, and I firmly believe that the way other adolescents and adults have acted has helped to shape the good and bad parts of my young adult life. My political and social awareness has made it so that looking into the future has been a large part of my life and thinking about how my actions will have consequences has affected what I want to do, study, and be.
Of course, this is something I love about Vermont and my community; we have the opportunity to have our voices heard. It doesn’t matter so much what your beliefs are, but that you have them. Stand tall and proud and keep an open mind, have conversations with those who you may not ordinarily. Learn new things that shape and alter your
Though we are disheartened, perhaps angered by certain political implications, we light candles in our freezing hands and sing. I climb the railing of the city hall stairs and look out on hundreds of other passionate faces. We sing about loving each other and striving to be better as a country and as individuals. …show more content…
Perched atop the city hall steps a young girl sits singing and holding a candle, staring intently into the flame. She is reading the signs that read, “Black Lives Matter” and “Love Trumps Hate” and her mother’s eyes gleam with pride. This little girl will grow up in a world that is shaped by how adolescents like me work together to change the future. Through what I do when I’m older, a year from now, or 10 years from now, no matter how small, it will change the way life is for that little girl.
I used to be that little girl, and I firmly believe that the way other adolescents and adults have acted has helped to shape the good and bad parts of my young adult life. My political and social awareness has made it so that looking into the future has been a large part of my life and thinking about how my actions will have consequences has affected what I want to do, study, and be.
Of course, this is something I love about Vermont and my community; we have the opportunity to have our voices heard. It doesn’t matter so much what your beliefs are, but that you have them. Stand tall and proud and keep an open mind, have conversations with those who you may not ordinarily. Learn new things that shape and alter your