Question

Imagine that you are attending the Barnard College Graduation Ceremony as a guest of a graduate. You are a member of the audience (not a graduate) as Toni Morrison delivers this speech. Write a fictionalized story in which you describe the experience and setting in detail as well as your own point of view and reactions as you witness the speech. Remember, Morrison may be speaking to women specifically, but there are lessons that men should take away as well. Use information and details from the speech in your answer.

Answer 1

I am seated in one of the last rows of chairs reserved for the audience who will attend the Barnard College Graduation Ceremony. The climate is pleasant and that is why everyone wears comfortable clothes, but consistent with the occasion. We didn't see a cloud in the sky and the environment has a fresh wind, totally balancing the feeling of warmth coming from the sun.

The chairs are white, plastic, but big enough to accommodate my body.

A few minutes after my arrival, the ceremony began, soon the graduates entered and settled in the place reserved for them and in a few minutes we can hear Toni Morrison's speech.

The speech was very emotional and highlighted the challenges and advantages of our professionals who were being trained that day. An important point of the speech, impressed me, when Morrison pointed out the importance of this new generation of professionals looking for equality and gender in their workplaces, since the women present there and those who still entered the job market, struggled to get their diplomas and have a good academic life and for that reason they deserve to be respected and have their rights guaranteed, as well as their wishes, capacity and autonomy respected.