The transformation from stage fright to confidence was quick for Auburn Junior High School student Serenity Scott.
When Scott made it to the stage in front of hundreds in the school's auditorium to perform a speech by abolitionist and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth, student Heaven James, in the center front row, made breathing motions to Scott. Scott nodded her head rapidly as if to say she understood, and took a couple breaths as her Black History Month performance was being introduced.
When Scott started the speech tackling both racism and sexism — commonly called the "Ain't I a woman?" speech, due to the question peppered throughout the speech — her face stiffened slightly, eyes forward, though she did release some laughs as her fellow students cheered and cried "Amen!" and "Yes!" as Scott continued in an intentional call-and-response with the audience.
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