In Adrienne Rich's commencement speech, "Claiming and Education", she
             compared the differences of receiving an education verses claiming an
             education. Rich highlights the importance of exercising choice or free
             agency, taking individual accountability, and owning up to our own
             responsibilities for growth and knowledge. Ultimately, not allowing others
             to dictate who or what you should be.
             Rich contends, in her speech, that female students should be
             aggressive in obtaining their education. And, they shouldn't settle on just
             any education, rather, they should seek out information that isn't replete
             with dogma taught by white, men. She points out that virtually all the
             studies are being presented from the man's point of view, and anyone else
             who isn't white, or a man, has no say in the historical annals of society.
             Her views closely emulate those of Ira Shor. He also encouraged us "to
             read, yes, and to be instructed, of course, but with a critical eye"(Shor
             2). Her goal is that women worldwide band together to change "how men
             have perceived and organized their experiences, their history, their ideas
             of social relationships"(Rich 609). This change should be done in a fashion
             that promotes equality in the sharing of ideas and concepts. She not only
             wants women to take themselves seriously, but she wants the women to be
             She points out the fact that the achievements of women, and minorities
             in general, have not only been marginalized throughout society, but deep
             within the walls of academia. She said "Black and other minority people
             have for some time recognized that their racial and ethnic experience was
             not accounted for in the studies labeled human; and that even the sciences
             can be racist...the sciences can be sexist"(Rich 609).
             In many cases she is absolutely correct in her assertions. But, in
             reality women have played an important role in society, especially in the
             fields of innova...