Chapter 28

On Friday afternoon, the school's small gymnasium canceled other activities, and a wooden lectern decorated with the school logo was erected. Hundreds of folding chairs were neatly placed on the opposite side of the platform, and a row was also placed behind the platform.

Sonya was sitting in a row of chairs at the back of the side. On his left side was Hayden, and on the right was a black woman with intellectual temperament. She was a representative of the equal rights organization in Chicago. Her name was Michelle. Her title was doctor of law. She had a terrible degree.

On the opposite side, the faculty and staff continued to sit down. Aunt Susie, old Joe and other familiar faces also came. The principal stood at the rostrum, silently watching everything.

Song Ya Chao's aunt Susie and old Joe waved. The other hand could not help but pinch the speech in her pocket. She felt a little thirsty.

"Take a deep breath. Don't be nervous. It's OK to say something wrong." Michelle was keenly aware of Sonya's emotional changes.

"Thank you." Song Ya Chao smiles at each other. Michelle is a member of the donkey party, and so is Underwood, who has not yet arrived. Both of them were introduced by the headmaster, so the political inclination of the headmaster is self-evident. According to the regulations, public schools should be politically neutral, and their funds, services or resources should not be used to influence the election of government officials or political activities of parties. However, what they have done this time is certainly not a political activity, although it is a good opportunity for politicians to expose and please black voters.

Speaking of having never met Mr. Underwood himself, Sonya looked for him. In addition to the black female assistant and some journalists he had met, Mr. Underwood was still at the end of his tether.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

The headmaster looked at his watch. The appointed time came. After he spoke, the gymnasium became quiet. When everyone sat down and began to look at the stage, he continued to make the opening statement, "today is a glorious day for our school and for Alexander song..."

He leaned to song Ya's direction, and song Ya felt everyone's eyes moved to him. He quickly stood up and showed the standard smile that he had practiced for a long time.

"In recognition of his achievements in music, the American Radio Music Association decided to accept him as a member He is a member of the association born in our university, and he is also the youngest Association member of our University... " The headmaster continued.

Song Ya sits down.

"Our school has been working hard in various art categories for many years, and has cultivated This is closely related to the hard work of the faculty and staff... "

"I would also like to thank BMI for its affirmation of our students and With the selfless help provided by Dr. Michel of the equal rights association and Mr. Underwood, an Illinois congressman, the persistent disease of racial discrimination has deeply affected all aspects of Americana... "

"Now let's invite the BMI Special Representative To present the membership certificate to Mr. Song... "

With that, the headmaster stepped back and let the podium out.

A third brother BMI representative stood in front of the stage and said, "ladies and gentlemen, I represent BMI BMI has been fighting for many years in the front line of combating racial discrimination. In the era of the most serious discrimination, we have given And a series of membership for African American artists Today, I am honored to present this certificate to Mr. Alexander song as a representative... "

BMI is very experienced in dealing with this kind of crisis. They didn't send a white man, which would be the target of public criticism. They didn't send black people. It would be a bit deliberate. The dark third brother is a good candidate.

Song Ya came forward and took the certificate from the third elder brother with both hands, and the audience clapped at the right time.

When the third brother retreated, Hayden came to the stage again and presented song Ya with a transparent plastic trophy, "I represent Magazine (a small media with a good relationship with SBK records) presented the Amelia prize for best new composer in March to Alexander song In order to commend him for bringing us such excellent works as the second-hand shop... "

Song Ya takes the trophy and Hayden winks at him.

"Thank you, thank you." After picking up the things, song Ya stands in front of the platform, puts the trophy and certificate on the platform, and takes out the speech manuscript from his pocket.

"Thanks for BMI's personal affirmation and I was born here and grew up here. As a poor and ordinary boy from a single parent family, I would like to thank the whole society for its... "

As he said this, he gradually relaxed, reading the manuscript, while being able to distract himself and observe the various details of the face-to-face audience.

Daniel said that to help him understand how Americana operates as a whole, it is now the best empirical environment.

Daniel said that to be the "person who gives points" is the result of his efforts.

He gave the principal a reason for encountering "racial discrimination" and a reason for "awarding an award". He gave the principal points. The principal turned the reason into a practical political activity. The president gave Mr. Underwood and Dr. Michelle points. Mr. andwood and Dr. Michel helped themselves to put pressure on BMI. They were the same Someone who gives points.

Maybe this is the essence of social operation."First of all, I want to thank my music teacher..." Song yanian said here, controlling facial muscles and smiling gratefully to the music teacher under the stage, "when I was full of doubts about music, it was your care and severity that gave me confidence again. It was you who gave me all kinds of conveniences to my poor child and let me concentrate on writing without interference in the instrument storage room of the school..."

When he read these words, he saw that all the people on the stage were looking at the music teacher. The appreciation in their eyes and the radian of their smiles were like a mold carved out of a mold. It was like a kind of "ritual music" and a kind of "etiquette" that was tacitly accepted by the society. Regardless of the inner feelings, the external performance must conform to the mainstream behavior mode.

The music teacher helped him, and he also rewarded him with points. I don't know what she will do with her little points in the future. Maybe it's the qualification for promotion, or something else. Of course, those have nothing to do with herself.

"I also want to thank my math teacher..." Song Ya turned her eyes to the elegant old lady. "Without your encouragement and help, maybe I started to put my energy into idle play, gangsters and drugs just like those children who gave up themselves I remember that after you gave me full marks, everyone called me a +. They took this as a nickname. I was very proud of it, so my signature in the work was a +, aplus... "

The old woman looked at herself, her eyes moist, her eyes full of love, and she had been nodding slightly. Maybe he had used the integral to teach and educate people.

"I have to thank you too, aunt Susie..." He turned his eyes to Aunt Susie.

Aunt Susie knew nothing about the "rituals" familiar to teachers. She excitedly pointed to herself on the stage and boasted to the people nearby with her talent rap, "this is my sister's son. I raised him since I was a child..."

"And, my boss, Joe, hi, boss..." He looked at Old Joe.

Old Joe changed into a dark suit, elegant, and stood up with a smile and made a few curtain calls around him.

All of this, accompanied by bursts of applause of standard length and standard volume, these teachers may not like this kind of time-consuming activity in their hearts, but everyone's response is impeccable. This is the black slum public middle school with the worst teaching quality.

"Next, I would like to thank Dr. Michelle, who has worked hard for me and for our African American community in the fight against racial discrimination..."

Learning from the headmaster, he leaned over and looked at Dr. Michelle.

Dr. Michelle stood up to greet him. Mr. Underwood sat down in the outermost chair, and the reporters' flash lights began to work.

"In the end, I have to thank a man who has served the community for many years..." Sonya began to read the compliment from the Underwood campaign office, "thank you, Mr. Underwood!" Finally, he said with emotion.

The time and volume of applause began to rise.

Underwood rose to his feet, smiling and waving frequently. He was of medium height, slightly fat but strong, with a deep and firm eye, and a peculiar mixture of aggression and affinity. Song Ya has never seen him, but at a glance, he can guess his identity. In short, he must be a big man.

Thank you

When it's all over, Sonya leaves the podium to Michelle and Underwood. "I've contributed a little bit of the calculus to them." He thought.

Michelle gave a wonderful speech on racial discrimination. She quoted many references, from Martin Luther King to Mandela, from the world to Chicago's south city. Song Ya sounded like four words, but she didn't know what to say.

Then came Mr. Underwood's closing speech, which was very vivid, witty and grounded, and interspersed with some self mockery.

This time, in addition to the eyes and applause, the audience also accurately responded to the laughter that came out after every little joke of Underwood. It was the same, very standard.

Finally, Underwood announced a government funded program for schools.

This time, the applause thunderous, the teachers stood up to clap hands, smile more sincere.

It seems that for this media exposure and black votes, Underwood brought a lot of points.

"Thank you, thank you."

When Underwood stepped down, the headmaster had ordered everyone to line up and shake hands with Underwood in turn. The camera came forward and began to take close shots.

A perfect event.

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