In this essay Angelou discusses all of the emotions she experienced while attending her middle school graduation at the segregated school Lafayette County Training School in Stamps, Arkansas. Angelou first experienced excitement and happiness as the time for graduation approached, followed by disappointment and animosity, and then finally the revitalization of her accomplishments and the emancipation of her hatred for others.
While first preparing for her graduation Angelou was very excited; being quite proud of her academic achievements and other accomplishments, Angelou was hardly able to contain the anticipation of marching up to the stage and receiving her hard-earned diploma. Not only was she proud of herself, but it was quite obvious that those around her felt the same delight. Her mother made her a beautiful dress, complete with an abundance of embroideries and frills. Many people showered her with gifts and money, imparting with her words of wisdom and encouragement to nourish her desire to achieve. A great feeling of happiness had been bestowed upon her, and she was rather anxious to reap the rewards.
The time for graduation had finally come. Angelou was greeted with a hearty breakfast from her mother, and a leather-bound copy of poems by Edgar Allen Poe from her brother Bailey. After making all of their preparations, the family closed the store and made their way down to the school for the much awaited ceremony. After being lead by her mothers hand after becoming jittery, Angelou finally took her place with the other students as her family seated themselves in the auditorium. It didn’t take long for her to notice that something was amiss as they were seemingly rushed to be seated after the opening ceremonies. They were informed that their guest speaker was on a tight schedule and could not stay long. After taking his place on stage, Mr. Donleavy and another white man he never bothered to introduce, began what seemed to be a rather uninspired speech. Mr. Donleavy spoke great measures about the improvements that would soon be received by the central, or white school, but little of the accomplishments (outside of sports) for the blacks. Angelou felt crushed, all hope had been admonished as she was reminded of the Negros place in life; maids, farmers, and other unspectacular positions. She became quite bitter as she listened, calling the whole human species an abomination.
Maya Angelou, Graduation (Tale Blazers), by Perfection Learning.
