Speech, justified?

Is Wright justified in refusing to say the speech?
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Yes. If he had wanted to continue with his education, go to college, etc., then refusing would not have been justified. The principal's speech might not have been what Wright wanted to say, but it was only a ninth-grade graduation speech that wouldn't have been remembered. I don't think anyone involved would have particularly cared after a year or so. So it would have been silly not to say a speech that didn't matter for a goal that did. However, Wright is perfectly fine with not teaching, not going to college, not continuing with his education. Because he doesn't care and doesn't want to continue living down south, the speech doesn't matter- nor does what the principal thinks of him. Sticking up for what he thinks he should say is justified, because there would be no reason to capitulate. So, yes, he is justified.