Raymond's Run

Raymond is a young Black boy with an intellectual disability living in Harlem. When his parents are not looking after him, Raymond is primarily cared for by his little sister, Squeaky. Raymond lives happily in his own imagination and pretends to drive a stagecoach while walking through Harlem with his sister. Squeaky’s willingness to fight anyone who makes fun of his disability confirms the reality that outside of his imagination, Raymond does not have any friends.

On the day of the big May Day race, Raymond surprises Squeaky by participating in the race in his own special way, on the other side of the fence. Raymond’s sudden interest in running is an indication not only of his admiration for his sister—whom he cheers for from the sidelines before the race begins—but also of his courage to try new things without concern for what others might think. His participation in the race enables Squeaky to think of him in a new light. Watching Raymond running “in his very own style,” Squeaky realizes that her brother has the potential to “make a very fine runner,” not unlike herself (Paragraphs 23-24).

Gretchen is a new classmate and rival of Squeaky’s. Gretchen’s posse includes Mary Louise, who used to be Squeaky’s friend, and Rosie, who gets a kick out of bullying Raymond. Like Squeaky, Gretchen is a runner and plans to compete in the May Day race.

Although Gretchen and Squeaky’s interaction the day before the race is tense, their relationship takes a surprising turn after Squeaky is announced as the first-place winner in the May Day race. It occurs to Squeaky for the first time that Gretchen is “serious about running, as any fool can see” (Paragraph 25). Their shared passion for the sport and dedication to working hard and getting better allows the two girls to see past their differences and develop mutual respect. Gretchen’s good sportsmanship reflects her maturity and potential to develop a friendship with Squeaky, someone she previously considered a rival.