Richard's Speech

In chapter eight Richard is chosen as his class’ valedictorian. Richard has earned this achievement for his great intelligence and wit. The tradition of this award is that the recipient reads a speech at graduation. Wright has prepared his speech, but the Principal has made one himself for Wright to read. The Principal requires Richard to read his speech because white people will be in attendance as well as the Superintendent. Richard’s speech would not have appealed to the whites or impressed the Superintendent. Wright refuses to say the speech. I believe he is justified in taking this stance. It is an award given to Richard not the Principal. When you are told that a person is to going to give a speech, you expect it will be there own writing. Also, Richard has the right to speak his own my mind and express the feelings that he possesses. No matter who is in the audience at the banquet, Richard still has his right to recite his speech.