Post 3, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Ch.23

Summary
In "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings", Chapter 23, Maya explains how being black, graduating the eight grade is a huge achievement in Stamps. Maya is supper excited to graduate until she takes her seat in the auditorium. A white man, Mr. Edward Donleavy gives a speech, not towards the graduating class but the achievements he has done and what others have accomplished. He talks about how white people will become scientists and have great minds but talks down on black people saying that Blacks only achieved greatness through sports not academics. Maya feels ashamed as well as the rest of the graduating class, having their heads down; she mourns over the fact that she has no control over her life and wishes everyone was dead. Mr. Donleavy then leaves and Valedictorian Henry Reeds makes his speech dismissing the shamed atmosphere, but Maya reacts with doubt and hopelessness. Henry continues to speak, turning his back to the audience, leading his graduating class in singing, "Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing" a song known popularly as the Negro National Anthem. Maya listens to the words carefully and drops her doubt and hopelessness attitude and takes pride in her black community.

Response
I enjoyed this chapter because not only was it emotionally crazy with positive and negative moments but it was an important chapter because this is where Maya realizes her worth and takes great pride in her race and who she really is. This chapter has changed her outlook on everything through the last chapters of the book. I enjoyed this chapter because no one should be ashamed of their race and of who they are. I believe that everyone should take pride in where they come from and be happy for who they are, and look forward to who they can become in this world. As for myself, I take great pride in being Mexican/ Hispanic because we have the best of both worlds, being bilingual with a language that is one of the main big languages to know in the U.S. and having such great culture. In my opinion, "Mexicans Do It Better." (: