Colin Powell's Commencement Speech At Howard University 1994

Literary analysis People before us fought for our right to speak freely; Colin Powell agrees and says that university students shouldn’t let people hold them back. Although freedom of speech is protected everywhere, at university’s freedom of speech is encouraged. People have to live up to the expectations set by people previous to your life. We have to take advantage of what others fought for; because for all our rights we have others died for. We shouldn’t let their deaths mean nothing exercise your rights this truly comes in to play when people are in college because most know how to exercise their rights in a respectable manner. Every single one of the rights we have now; has been fought for. Therefore every single one should be used and portrayed in a respectful way. This is all demonstrated in Colin Powell’s Commencement Speech at Howard University 1994.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances”(Bill of rights). This is the first amendment on the Bill of Rights it will never be taken away from us so we should use it to its full potential. “First, I believe with all my heart that Howard must serve as an institute of learning excellence where freedom of speech is strongly encouraged and rigorously protected”(Powell 502-503). Since people before us had to fight for the right to speak freely we should embrace it and passionately use this right. Institutions such as colleges and university’s shouldn’t just stick to the norm and allow free speech; they should encourage the students and