A Kentucky boy named Daniel shocked everyone at his eighth-grade graduation with his epic speech. His principal and teacher told him that his speech was “too negative” and “too controversial” to give. Instead, he chose to ignore that advice and tailored his speech to the oppressed youth who made up his school.
When Daniel attended his graduation in Louisville, Kentucky, nobody would have guessed the attention he would receive. The video, shared by a TikToker, begins with the boy approaching the podium. The first words he said: “Apparently, this school doesn’t know better than to give an angry gay kid a microphone.” This video has been seen over 960,000 times and has received over 94,000 likes. He revealed his initial plan was to talk about his personal trauma, when instead he thought about the “black, brown, and mixed youth [who] are facing oppression nowadays.” Additionally, he said these youth are being “forced to fear their own identities.”
He described his initial speech as a plan to encourage those who are oppressed, claiming this made up the entirety of the school’s demographic. Nobody could have predicted what he chose to say instead: “This school is built on racism, sexism, and homophobia.” The boy did not slow down from there. He continued, I encourage everyone here today to stand up for yourself even if it makes a scene.” He ended the speech, “This school is [expletive] ridiculous.” The audience erupted into cheers. However, it is unclear if this was parents or students applauding.
Several Cheer On Kentucky Boy
Several have taken to the comments, cheering Daniel on and wishing him nothing but the best for the future. This includes the TikToker who shared the video, clapping and saying, “You go, Daniel!” One commenter says, “He gonna walk into High School a LEGEND!” Another says, “I’ve never been more proud of a child who was not my own.”
One commenter suggests donating to his college fund, saying how they wished they “had the kind of bravery to speak so freely when I was [his] age.” Another assures that “this was the TIME and the PLACE” to give that speech. A parent who claims they removed their child from that Kentucky school says, “I back this little man 100%.”
It is unknown if Daniel received any negativity from the school afterward, but everyone online has heard his speech and is throwing him their support.
