In the essay “Black Boy,” Richard's alienation from his environment is a recurring theme. Despite his efforts to distance himself from the prejudices surrounding him, white people constantly attempt to stereotype him as a typical Southern black. However, Richard is also alienated by his own people, perhaps even more so than by the whites. From his childhood to his adolescence, Richard was always a rebel, refusing to submit to the white man like the other black people around him. White people were afraid of Richard because he challenged the system they had created to ensure white supremacy. Some white people acted out their racist feelings to cover up their fear. Those close to Richard never understood him and he was estranged from his family and his own people. Shorty, a young black boy who jokes about being beaten by white people, is someone Richard hates because he accepts what Richard finds disgusting. Richard considers taking his hatred and frustration out on other black people, but he knows that won't help the situation. Richard is willing to leave school without a diploma rather than read a speech prepared by the principal that would make him say what the white power wanted him to say. Richard's refusal to conform to the expectations of white people and his own people alienated him from his surroundings..