►
From YouTube: BPS Commencement Caravan Kickoff
Description
The graduating class of 2020 has dealt with unique circumstances, preventing high school seniors from having traditional celebrations. Boston is going out of its way to make sure their hard work is recognized. At Mattapan's MBTA Parking Lot, Mayor Walsh, BPS Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Police Commissioner William G. Gross, and local elected officials kicked off a caravan that went around several of Boston's neighborhoods.
A
A
So
imma
imma
do
a
prayer
if
somebody
need
to
be
quiet,
father
God,
in
the
name
of
Jesus.
We
come
before
you
right
now
and
we
thank
you
for
this
beautiful
day
that
you've
made.
We
ask
that
you
bless
this
Caravan
everybody
that
is
connected
with
this.
We're
doing
this
for
our
children,
our
youth,
our
parents.
A
We
ask
that
you
just
bless
everyone
within
the
sound
of
my
voice
in
this
parking
lot
and
around
this
route
in
the
city
of
Boston,
where
Boston
strong
when
Massachusetts
strong,
we
ask
that
you
bless
us
and
keep
us
from
all
her
and
I'm
a
danger
from
the
top
to
the
bottom
in
Jesus
name.
We
pray
amen.
Now
we're
gonna
hear
sister
come
on
now.
Sister
is
an
angel
Monday
and
my
name's
Angela,
and
she
actually
was
inspired
to
write
a
song.
It's
called
Massachusetts
strong.
B
C
First
public
park,
American
library,
first
in
the
SAE
first
to
abolish
slavery
in
terms
of
basketball.
We
helped
pave
the
way
have
the
where
Massachusetts
strong
we
stand
together
for
each
other
is
one
Massachusetts
strong,
a
towns
and
cities.
The
first
communities,
a
one
from
the
mayor's
to
the
govern
or
health
workers
from
neighbors
to
I
stood
a
son.
D
A
If
everybody
believes,
when
Massachusetts
strong,
say
hell,
yeah
whoa
I'm,
feeling
that
everybody
that
thinks
we're
Boston
strong,
say
hell,
yeah
I'm,
feeling
that
I
want
to
thank
sister
money,
live
better
birthday
angel,
a
name
for
the
beautiful
song.
Three
weeks
see
what
you
can
do
when
people
love
each
other
and
they
come
together.
Oh
man,
I
got
to
do
this.
Young
I
want
to
thank
all
the
elected
officials
and
I
got
a
shout
out.
You
know
it's
easy
to
be
in
a
position
of
leadership
and
criticize.
E
A
That
going
to
work
I
want
to
thank
mayor
Marty
Walsh
I
am
we
were
reminiscing
about
when
I
first
met
him
before
he
ran,
who
still
state
Rep
and
he
ran
for
mayor.
He
said:
I'm
gonna
be
the
mayor
we
were
at
while
it
was
Dudley
square
at
that
point.
Now
it's
new
being
square
and
sure
enough.
I
met
superintendent,
dr.
Brenda
cassellius
in
Mattapan.
A
She
vowed
that
she
was
going
to
visit
every
single
school
and
I
met
her
at
a
parent's
meeting
in
Mattapan
I
said
I,
like
you,
I
hope
you
around
Commissioner
grass.
We
meet
in
all
sorts
of
strange
places
and
not
strange
like
weird
strange
I'm,
just
saying
I
think
the
last
time
was
at
the
Kennedy
Center
when
an
author
was
actually
recognized
in
the
hundred
great
people
in
Boston
and
and
chief
Kenneth
Greene
I
just
met
today,
but
he's
a
brother
from
another
mother.
A
So
I,
thank
you
and
you
guys
stepped
up
within
24
hours
and
it
was
crazy.
I
mean
Who
am
I
I'm,
a
parent
and
I'm.
An
educator
and
I
got
this
inspiration
because
of
my
daughter
who's,
a
graduate
at
the
University
of
Maine.
So
all
the
elected
officials-
John
Kennedy,
was
here.
Julia
Mejia
is
here
any
elected
officials
here.
Can
you
raise
your
hand
trying
to
tie
with
China
Sonya
changes.
F
A
No
no
I
already
mentioned
the
man
he
came
first,
governor
Baker
actually
was
trying
to
be
here
and
he
couldn't,
but
he
he
also
get
back
to
me
within
48
hours.
That's
phenomenal!
Don't
think
that
you
can't
touch
them.
You
can't
reach
them.
Don't
think
that
they
don't
want
to
hear
from
you
it's
just
a
lot.
There
were
other
elected
officials
we
reached
out
to
everyone
in
the
district.
A
As
we
go
through
these
communities,
you
will
see
through
the
honking
and
clapping
all
of
the
parents,
communities
and
classmates
that
are
with
you
behind
you
and
believe
in
you.
The
African
proverb
says
it
takes
a
village
to
raise
a
child,
and
this
is
your
village.
We
are
your
village
in
the
village.
Is
black
white,
gay,
straight
Christian
Muslim
or
nobody,
everybody
kiss
Arab
a
this
pandemic
is
trying
to
kill
everything
human.
A
G
A
Always
be
black
and
beautiful,
we
will
remain
Boston
strong
and
please
believe
we
don't
beyond
right
all
right.
The
next
voice,
you
will
hear,
will
be
Boston's
mayor,
Marty,
Walsh
he's
a
man
trying
to
be
the
best
leader
in
the
best
of
times
and
the
worst
of
times.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
the
city
of
Boston
may
I
present
to
you,
the
Honorable
mayor,
Martin,
J,
Walsh,.
F
F
This
is
not
easy.
This
is
not
an
easy
time,
but
she
loves
you
the
graduates
of
2020.
We
all
love
you,
the
graduates
2020.
This
is
my
first
public
event
that
I've
come
to
since
the
whole
kovaydin
19,
started
and
I.
Think
it's
really
important
that
we
hear
today,
I
want
to
thank
the
Boston
Black
over
19
coalition
education
committee
for
your
incredible
work.
I
want
to
thank
our
superintendent.
F
F
Having
commissioner
grass
lead
our
department
at
this
time
in
history,
because
at
this
time
in
history,
that's
what
matters
right
now,
because
yesterday
is
gone.
We
can't
forget
what
happened
yesterday,
it's
about
what
we
do
today
and
how
we
shall
we
take
action
tomorrow,
so
Thank,
You,
Commissioner
gross,
feel
great
work.
I
want
to
thank
MBTA
chief
Kenny
green
for
a
lot
of
things,
but,
most
importantly,
thank
you
for
letting
us
be
on
your
property
today.
I
appreciate
it
and
to
all
the
elected
officials
that
are
here
that
have
come
and
gone.
F
Thank
you
very
much
for
taking
the
time
out,
because
I
know
it's
important
to
all
of
you.
Why
to
be
here
today.
I
want
to
congratulations
to
all
the
families
and
loved
ones
that
are
here
today.
Raising
a
child
takes
a
village.
These
young
people
that
are
here
today
benefited
from
your
support.
Your
mentorship
and
you'll
love
every
step
of
the
journey.
That's
what
we
are
all
about
here
in
Boston.
Nothing
should
keep
us
from
supporting
one
another
in
any
time
under
any
situation.
F
F
As
this
class
2020
is
you're,
making
a
transition
into
adulthood
you're
doing
it
at
a
very
pivotal,
pivotal
moment
in
American
history
on
this
chart,
I'm
not
just
talking
about
the
global
pandemic,
even
though
that
this
seems
to
be
forgotten.
But
it's
not
forgotten
so
everyone
remember
today,
social
distancing,
we
shouldn't
be
shaking
hands,
we
shouldn't
be
hugging,
I,
know
it's
awful
to
say
cuz
as
it
as
humans
and
as
people.
That's
what
I
love
to
do,
and
we
all
have
to
do
that.
F
But
we
still
have
the
corona
virus,
but
the
persistent
fight
that
you're
facing
on
all
fronts
like
inequality,
systemic
racism,
threats
to
civil
rights
and
climate
change.
We
must
all
together,
keep
moving
forward
to
making
progress
and
not
let
anyone
or
anything
but
any
anti
movement
or
any
so-called
leader
in
this
country
take
us
backwards.
Our
world,
our
future,
depends
upon
it
as
a
society.
A
lot
of
people
are
talking
about
wanting
life
to
go
back
to
normal
after
this
pandemic
ends.
F
Well,
you
know
what
we
shouldn't,
let
it
go
back
to
normal
if
anything
that
this
pandemic
is
certainly
shed.
A
light
on
is
the
impart
of
enduring
problems
that
we
face
as
a
society.
We
must
work
together
to
achieve
a
new
and
a
better
normal,
a
new
and
a
better
normal
one
that
is
inclusive
one
that
lifts
everyone
up.
F
F
What
the
Asian
community
feeling
and
everyone
is
kind
of
just
in
this
space
and
I'm
one
of
those
people
and
not
one
person,
is
gonna,
say,
speech
or
should
say
speech.
That's
gonna
make
everything
okay,
because
it's
so
much
deeper
than
that,
and
we
should
acknowledge
that
and
recognize
that
every
conversation
I've
had
with
a
black
person
this
week,
whether
it's
been
somebody
who's
been
a
laborer
somebody
dropped
out
of
high
school.
F
F
There
were
stories
of
black
soldiers
fighting
for
this
country,
white
soldiers,
fighting
for
this
country,
Latino
soldiers
fighting
for
this
country
and
they
became
part
of
a
generation
that
we
look
back
on
and
we
say
wow
that
generation
was
incredible
because
they
fought
for
freedom
and
equality
in
the
world
and
they
did.
But
that
works
not
done
so
I
feel
in
my
heart
that
this
generation,
the
class
of
2020
you're,
going
to
be
the
next
generate
greatest
generation,
because
you're
going
to
finish
that
work,
god
bless
you
and
congratulations.
H
I'm
gonna
spend
most
of
my
time
talking
to
the
students
my
students
who
are
here
today,
where
are
you
sure
sure,
let's
give
them
a
round
of
applause
and
to
our
parents
who
have
raised
these
beautiful,
powerful,
strong
children?
Let's
give
them
a
round
of
applause
to
all
of
our
parents,
Thank
You
Sharon
for
bringing
us
all
together.
H
Thank
you
to
the
Buffalo
riders
for
being
here
today
and
helping
us
have
a
soldiers
for
having
a
wonderful
Caravan
today
to
go
through
our
neighborhoods
to
say
hello
to
all
of
our
twenty20
class
and
to
inspire
them
and
to
encourage
them
forward.
The
mayor
said:
I
came
to
Boston
to
make
a
difference.
H
You
know
you
got
my
little
robo
call
say
thank
you,
parents
for
helping
us,
because
we
can't
do
this
work
alone
and
in
this
moment,
for
black
people,
particularly
who,
on
any
measure,
are
not
getting
the
best
end
of
the
stick
and
as
a
black
woman,
I
spent
32
years
of
my
career
and
I
came
to
Boston
to
change
that
I
came
to
Boston
for
this
class
of
2020
and
I.
Can't
thank
you
enough
for
being
here
today
to
inspire
them
because
they
had
to
miss
out
on
some
of
their
celebrations
this
year.
H
The
hard
work
that
you
all
put
in
students
all
of
this
year
and
then
to
do
it
remotely
to
I,
know
you've
been
feeling
isolated.
I
know
this
has
not
been
easy.
You
haven't
been
able
to
connect
with
your
peers.
You
haven't
been
able
to
play
on
your
team
sports.
You
haven't
been
able
to
celebrate
together,
give
hugs
do
all
the
things
that
teenagers
do,
but
we
will
get
through
this
together
because
you
are
strong.
H
H
Get
involved
civically
know
the
issues,
because
in
this
moment
I
don't
know
that
we'll
have
another
one,
and
in
this
moment
you
have
the
opportunity
to
change
the
world
and
I
think
the
youth
and
the
Beast
Act,
the
Boston
Student
Advisory
Council,
for
helping
to
organize
the
peaceful
protest
on
that
first
night
it
was
the
youth
who
have
been
leading
us.
It
was
the
youth
who
lead
led
us
in
the
60s,
and
so
let's
listen
to
our
youth.
Let's
honor
them.
H
I
I
I
We
do
have
black
father's
here,
supporting
their
children.
Black
Latino
and
Cabo
Verde
in
Boston
is
at
least
50%
people
of
color
all
right,
let's
start
respecting
each
other.
I
am
so
happy
to
be
here
to
share
my
congratulations
with
this
class.
Thank
you,
mayor
Walsh,
Thank,
You,
Sharon
superintendent.
Wherever
you
went,
but
I'm
superintendent
of
schools
come
on.
She
came
in
in
the
fourth
quarter
and
is
expected
to
win
the
Super
Bowl,
but
she's
not
alone
we're
winners.
I
I
The
mayor,
the
elected
officials,
the
cabinet
heads,
but
you
the
parents,
friends
and
supporters
you
that
have
been
with
them,
since
they
were
babies
until
they're,
graduating
now
again.
I'm
glad
the
news
is
here
to
break
an
egg,
another
negative
stereotypical
view
and
perception.
There's
only
one
or
two
percent
committed
to
violent
acts,
ruining
protests
and
it's
not
the
graduating
class
of
2020.
I
So,
let's
make
sure
that
they're,
not
grouped
in
by
people
who
won't
even
come
down
here
over
here
over
there
to
even
learn
about
these
students,
we
want
to
make
sure
that
they
get
their
due.
They
deserve
it.
They
are
the
only
class
to
go
through
a
pandemic
and
that
a
time
of
civil
unrest
because
of
the
cowardice
acts
that
committed
murder
by
the
Minneapolis,
for
they
have
to
live
through.
All
of
this
they
deserve
their
credit,
give
them
the
credit
that
they
are
due.
Let's
give
them
a
hand
again.
I
Also
we're
here
for
a
reason,
I
know
in
my
personal
life
I
never
thought
as
a
young
black
kid
I'd
be
the
first
african-american
chief,
followed
by
the
first
african-american
Commissioner
check
it
out,
because
I
didn't
have
the
vision,
because
I
thought
it
was
an
unobtainable
goal
with
a
brick
ceiling.
We
have
to
make
sure
that
the
class
of
2020
this
graduating
class-
you
may
not
see
this
vision,
but
we
see
it
for
you.
We
know
who
you
are.
I
We
know
your
potential
and
we're
here
to
stay
with
you,
not
only
after
you
graduate
today
but
into
the
future,
because
you
are
the
next
mayor,
Superintendent
of
Schools
elected
officials,
commissioners
and
president.
You
need
to
know
that
when
our
young
people,
our
future
leaders,
don't
have
that
vision,
we
need
to
be
their
eyes
and
ears
and
we
need
to
make
sure
they
can
take
today
that
they
can
see
a
brighter
future
and
where
the
future
is
in
the
graduating
class
of
2020.
Thank
you.
D
Now
afternoon,
everyone
I
just
want
to
put
this
out
there
right
now
that
the
superintendent
and
the
Commissioner
stole
some
of
my
thunder
so
I'm
gonna
be
repeating
a
few
things.
They
went
with
me
last
night
when
I
was
writing.
My
speech.
I
wanted
to
put
a
few
things
down.
So
I
could
remember
everything.
I
want
to
say
so.
Bear
with
me
please
first
of
all
good
afternoon
and
congratulations
on
graduating
congratulating
for
mark
from
the
graduate
I'm
sorry
from
high
school
best
wishes
for
the
next
steps
in
your
academic
or
professional
journey.
D
I
know
the
last
three
months
have
been
tough.
The
Corbett
19
pandemic
has
interrupted
your
high
school
journey
and
experiences.
Remote
learning,
no
excuse
no
school
activities
to
include
the
problem,
no
traditional
graduation
and
not
being
able
to
spend
time
with
family
and
friends
your
world.
As
you
know,
it
was
turned
upside
down.
We
know
it
wasn't
easy,
but
you
made
it
give
them
a
round
of
applause.
D
Many
of
these
deaths
played
out
on
television
screens
and
on
social
media
for
the
world
to
see
it
ultimately
mobilized
people
from
around
the
world
to
demonstrate
in
protest
showing
their
hurt,
anger
and
outrage
when
you
have
witnessed
class
of
2020
is
how
changed
it's
been
effective
in
this
country
by
people
from
all
walks
of
life,
demonstrating
that
change
is
needed.
You
can
be
part
of
that
change
by
registering
to
vote
and
to
get
others
to
vote
as
well.
D
You,
the
class
of
the
graduating
class
of
2020,
our
future
leaders,
then
justice
that
you
witnessed,
such
as
the
murder
of
George
Floyd
at
the
hands
of
law
enforcement
and
Minnie
Annapolis
well
one
day
be
a
thing
in
the
past
because
you,
as
the
commissioners
say,
will
be
the
next
police
chief.
You
will
be
the
next
men,
you
will
be
the
next
superintendent
education
and
you,
through
your
leadership,
will
be
the
ambassadors
of
change
that
will
ensure
that
injustice
is
such
as
that
will
never
be
allowed
again.
D
D
Believe
me,
I,
know
so
surround
yourself
with
people
who
support
you
and
know
that
you
are
and
know
that
you
are
the
maker
of
your
own
destiny,
but
before
I
go,
there
was
just
one
other
thought:
I
want
to
leave
with
you
when
you
become
successful
in
your
chosen
field
and
you
reach
that
point
in
life
when
you
think
you
have
achieved
everything
you
set
out
to
achieve
remember
this
day.
Remember
that
you
started
here
in
this
great
city
where
others,
just
like
you
are
starting
out
their
journeys
into
life.
D
As
you
know,
it
remember
all
the
people
helped
remember
all
the
people
that
helped
you
along
the
way.
Those
who
aided
your
growth
and
helped
you
become
who
you
want
it
to
be,
then
pay
it
forward
to
the
ones
that
will
come
after
you,
I
want
to
thank
you
for
giving
the
opportunity
to
speak
and
again,
congratulations.
E
Que
pasa,
no
se
preocupe
and
I
speak
English.
Okay,
so
you
won't
either
translator
right
now
so
I'm
Julia
Mejia
at
large
city
councillor,
and
we,
when
we
talk
about
voting
I'm
gonna,
tell
you
how
important
we
all
are
because
I
won
by
one
vote:
okay,
and
that
one
vote
came
from
Dorchester
Roxbury,
Mattapan,
Hyde
Park.
You
know
the
hood,
so
I
say
that
proudly
because
we
cannot
forget
the
power
that
we
have.
Okay,
I
was
also
the
first
person
in
my
family
to
graduate
high
school
from
Dorchester
High
School
to
here.
Okay,
that's
right!
E
We
know
how
hard
it
is
to
have
to
work
two
to
three
jobs
to
make
our
ends
me,
and
we
know
how
hard
it
is
for
you
all
young
people
to
have
to
work
those
same
jobs.
So
you
can
help
your
family
survive,
but
nonetheless
you
still
did
it.
Okay,
so
I
say
this
to
you
all
that
Kovac
19
has
not
sold
in
that
moment
what
it
has
done.
Helped
you
realize
your
power
in
this
moment
right,
because
you
are
still
standing
all
right.
E
E
So
not
only
just
give
young
people
lip
service,
but
to
recognize
the
role
that
we
all
play
in
making
sure
that
they
have
the
tools,
the
resources,
inspiration
to
lead
with
their
hearts,
to
bring
us
to
the
next
level
because
they
are
who
we
have
been
waiting
for,
but
it's
our
responsibility,
making
sure
that
we
provide
them
that
platform
to
do
this
work.
Okay,
so
without
further
ado,
I'm
gonna
end
this.
By
remembering
and
encouraging
you
all
to
never
forget
that
nothing
about
us
without
us
is
for
us.
Okay
and.
E
You
all
have
a
very
decision
of
it's
voting
time.
Y'all
and
November
I
want
to
see
everybody
out
there
exercising
their
right
to
vote,
and
it's
not
just
about
what's
happening
on
the
federal
level.
I
need
you
ought
to
come
out
state
and
local,
because
what
happens
locally
impacts
nationally.
So
congratulations
to
the
class
of
2020.
Let's
get
it!
Thank
you.
J
Good
afternoon,
everyone
thank
you
so
much
for
coming
out
and
I
first
I
want
to
say
congratulations
to
the
class
of
2020
myself.
I
am
representatives.
China
Thailand
I
represent
the
seven
suffolk
district
so
way
outside
my
district,
but
I
couldn't
you
know
miss
this
moment
to
say
congratulations
to
students
and
you
guys
are
so
important
to
me,
because
I
grew
up
right
here
in
boston
in
Roxbury
and
I
was.
It
was
very,
very
difficult
to
me
to
rise
as
a
student,
and
it
was
just
one
school.
J
There's
one
opportunity
that
I
had
that
really
jumped
made
me
jump,
it's
a
really
engaging
in
my
academics
and
from
then
I
and
I
had
the
opportunity
to
do
some
things
that
people
around
me
probably
wouldn't
have
had
to
be
able
to
do.
I
went
to
Northeastern
for
free,
I,
went
to
Harvard
and
I
touched,
so
many
different
campuses
I
wouldn't
think
that
I
would
touch
because
I
didn't
know
anybody
around
me.
J
That
really
did
that,
and
so
in
my
role
today
as
a
state
rep
and
when
people
really
quickly
when
people
tell
you
that
you
can't
do
something,
you
absolutely
can
just
because
you're
young,
that
doesn't
mean
you
can't
do
anything
when
I
was
26
years.
Old
I
won
an
election
to
be
a
state
Rep.
So
for
those
that
tell
you
that
you
can't
we're
going
to
make
sure
we'd
be
here
to
support
you
to
make
sure
that
you
can
and
moving
forward.
J
We
just
want
you
to
know
we're
here
to
support
you
if
you
guys
need
internships
all
the
electron's
that
spoke.
We
all
have
view
programs,
internships,
we're
here
to
support
you
and
we
want
you
to
win
and
when
you
win
come
back
because
again
you
are
the
future
to
our
city
and
we
thank
you
so
much
for
everything
you're
doing
again.
Yes,
you
can.
C
K
Afternoon
everybody,
my
name,
is
Tonio
chang-diaz.
I
represent
part
of
Mattapan
all
the
way
from
the
south
end
through
Roxbury
Dorchester,
about
a
pan
and
surrounding
neighborhoods
and
I'm
honored
to
represent
many
of
you
in
the
state.
Senate
I'm
also
here,
like
many
of
my
colleagues
before
me,
on
a
personal
level
as
an
educator
as
a
parent
and
as
someone
who's
so
deeply
proud
of
the
students
and
the
parents
and
the
educators
that
I
see
here
before
me
today
and
I
want
where
it's
hot,
it's
late.
K
We
want
to
get
in
the
cars
we
want
to
get
this
party
started
so
I'm
just
gonna,
say
very
briefly:
I
want
to
pick
up
on
what
my
colleague,
Julia
Mejia
said
that,
although
koban
19
has
robbed
many
of
you
has
robbed
the
graduates
here
of
the
moments
that
you
have
so
keenly
been.
Looking
forward
to
that
prom
the
graduation
walking
across
that
stage,
when
you
hear
your
name
called
out
and
it's
a
pain,
and
we
can't
deny
that
that
is
a
pain
that
you
will
carry
with
you.
K
But
it
is
also
this
moment
is
preparing
you.
This
moment
is
making
you
stronger.
This
moment
is
giving
you
the
tools
and
the
strength
that
you
are
going
to
need
and
that
we
as
a
community
are
going
to
need
going
forward
and
I.
Think
about
all
that
you
have
learned.
Do
your
K
through
12
career
in
through
your
high
school
years,
and
the
way
is
that
it's
going
to
manifest,
hopefully
sooner
rather
than
later,
I.
Think
about
all
of
you
who
have
learned
how
to
photograph
read
a
spreadsheet.
K
You
may
be
the
next
journalists
that
write
about
the
health
disparities
that
face
that
played
this
community.
When
you
cannot
have
those
skills,
we
can't
tell
those
truths
that
need
to
be
told
the
skills
that
you
have
learned
to
write
a
persuasive
letter.
You
may
be
the
person,
the
next
julia
Mejia,
the
next
China
Tyler,
who
stands
up
and
uses
those
skills
on
the
floor
of
the
House
or
Senate,
or
writing
a
letter
to
legislative
colleagues
or
as
a
private
citizen.
K
Writing
it
to
your
elected
officials
to
bring
the
truths
that
we
need
to
bring
in
this
moment
about
kovat
19
about
long
standing,
structural,
racism
about
police
accountability.
We
need
those
skills
and
this
moment
is
going
to
make
you
stronger
in
those
skills
and
when
we
know
you're
tired,
we're
tired.
K
These
fights
are
exhausting,
but
when,
in
this
moment
gives
you
that
grit
to
put
one
foot
in
front
of
the
other
day
after
day,
even
when
you're
tired
to
put
your
hand
out
to
your
neighbor
who's,
also
tired
and
pull
them
on
your
back
and
pull
them
along
until
they
find
new
energy.
These
are
the
skills
that
we
are
going
to
need
to
keep
these
fights
up
because
they
are
going
to
be
long
fights,
but
we
need
you
class
of
2020
and
I
am
so
proud
and
so
thrilled
to
see
what
you
do.
Next
Godspeed.
G
Class
of
2020
I
am
so
thankful
to
be
here
today.
I
am
thankful
to
be
speaking
to
my
peers,
who
are
celebrating
the
same
accomplishments
as
me.
I
am
thankful
that
I
decided
to
attend
Boston
Arts
Academy
and
experienced
some
of
the
most
amazing
things.
Paa
has
taught
me
a
lot
of
lessons
about
love,
life,
education
and
more,
but
the
most
important
lesson
learned
was
that
when
you
have
the
opportunity
use
your
platform
to
start
off,
I
would
like
to
share
a
story
when
I
was
in
about
sixth
grade.
G
My
mother
told
me
that
I
am
blessed
with
white
skin
I
identify
as
mixed.
My
mom
is
black
and
my
dad
is
white.
Now,
when
my
mother
said
this
to
me,
I
had
no
clue
what
she
meant
exactly
I
grew
up
in
a
small
town
that
was
predominantly
white
and
although
my
family
was
black,
I
was
not
exposed
to
enough
racism
to
understand
what
she
meant
or
why
she
would
say
that
to
me.
It
wasn't
until
I
started,
educating
myself
that
I
realized
that
in
America
life
is
harder
when
your
skin
is
darker.
G
It
is
a
sad
truth,
but
as
humans
we
all
have
the
power
to
change.
The
narrative
I
would
like
to
use
my
platform
today
to
commend
the
class
of
2020
I
strongly
believe
that
the
class
of
2020
is
a
class
of
change
when
we
would
have
been
taking
the
time
to
prepare
for
graduation
in
what
comes
after.
We
are
now
taking
the
time
to
fix
the
injustice
--is
that
have
been
corrupting
the
US
for
centuries.
G
We
have
grown
through
the
media
and
other
platforms,
and
the
progress
is
being
made
after
being
stuck
at
home
for
so
long.
We
are
now
able
to
make
real
progress
towards
healing
and
recovery.
No
longer
are
we
ignoring
the
pain
that
racism
causes
no
longer.
Are
we
sitting
back
and
witnessing
the
racist
bones
of
America
rip
apart
people's
lives
and
families?
Together,
we
can
make
a
change.
We
can
shape
the
future
to
what
we
want
it
to
be.
When
you
all
leave
here
today
think
about
what
you
want
the
future
to
look
like
now.
G
L
How's
everybody
doing
this
morning
well
this
evening
afternoon,
I'm
sorry
first
I
want
to
thank
God,
my
mom,
my
dad,
my
girlfriend
everyone,
that's
helping
me
motivate
motivate
me
to
be
here
for
my
academic
journey
and
also
my
grandmother
who
couldn't
be
here.
She
didn't
make
it
to
this
day,
but
I
know
she's.
Looking
down
proud
of
me
right
now,
because
I
could
graduate
köppen.
19
has
affected
me
in
so
many
different
ways.
I
wasn't
allowed
the
last
moments
with
my
loved
ones.
L
I
was
also
allowed
the
last
moments
of
my
senior
year,
but
also
told
me
taught
me
how
to
never
take
anything
for
granted.
It
also
taught
me
how
to
it
also
taught
me
how
to
be
even
more
excited
for
my
next
four
years
at
UMass,
Dartmouth
studying
in
computer
science,
and
it
also
taught
me
how
to
live
in
the
moment.
L
Growing
up
I
always
heard
my
father.
He
I
went
to
the
same
school
as
my
father,
I'm
the
senior
class
president
East
Boston
high
school.
My
father
went
to
East
Boston
high
school
during
busing
and
I
always
heard
stories
of
him
telling
me
the
racial
injustice
that
has
happened
to
him.
The
same
fight
he
has
fought
is
the
same
fight.
We
are
fighting
to
change
today.
We
need
to
be
out
there
rooting
for
change
out
here.
The
same.
It's
the
same
thing.
Nothing
has
changed.
L
We
need
everyone
out
here
using
their
platforms
to
make
sure
racial
injustice
has
changed
in
Massachusetts,
there's
no
way
and
it's
2020,
and
we
should
still
be
fighting
for
justice.
It's
too
long
for
hundred
years.
It's
too
long,
I
just
want
my
seniors
here
to
know.
The
challenges
we
face
today
are
preparing
preparing
us
for
the
challenges
we
face
in
the
future.
L
A
Can
we
give
a
round
to
applies
to
all
of
our
elected
officials
that
show
it
out?
They
don't
just
come
out
when
somebody
gets
hurt.
They
come
out
with
this
good
time
soon
come
on
y'all,
not
that
happy.
So
here's
the
deal
I
need
everybody
and
listen
to
me.
Cuz,
it's
gonna
be
one
time.
It's
my
teaching
mode
going
now
everybody
get
into
your
cars
start
your
engines.
A
We
are
going
up
this
way.
The
police
detail
is
going
first.
The
Rough
Riders
are
going
second,
a
bus,
Buffalo,
Soldiers
I'm.
So
sorry,
my
brother
I'm,
so
sorry,
let
me
get
it
right.
A
bus
of
students
is
going
next
and
then
cars
will
be
going
in
between
the
buses.
Do
you
hear
me
I,
don't
think
you
heard
me
did
y'all
hear
me
get
into
your
cars
now
if
we
are
leaving
in
five
minutes
start
your
engines
now.