Dear Martin

"In a way, I guess I thought I didn't really need to concern myself with this type of thing because compared to him, I don't come across as 'threatening,' you know? I don't sag my pants or wear my clothes super big. I go to a good school, and have goals and vision and 'a great head on my shoulders,' as Mama likes to say." 

Stone examines perception throughout the novel. Just as Castillo saw a Black teen in a wealthy neighborhood and assumed he was committing a crime, Justyce is also guilty of believing that certain clothing denotes someone who might be less than upstanding. Justyce always assumed that by looking nonthreatening and being a good kid, he would be exempt from racial profiling. However, with Castillo's arrest, Justyce realizes that his Blackness is all that some people need to see to assume he's a criminal. It is a harsh reality for Justyce to absorb and it makes him angry and hurt. 

"Jared: Right here, right now, on these red hills of Georgia, a son of former slaves and sons of former slave owners are sitting down at the table of brotherhood, dude. The Dream has been realized!" 

Jared’s character begins the novel blinded by privilege. Stone uses him as a proxy for many others who "refuse to admit there's a problem" (95) because there isn't segregation or they're "oblivious to the struggles outside [their] social group" (24). Jared sits at a table with Manny who is African-American, and he assumes that they are equal. Unfortunately, much of the rest of the novel examines Jared's inappropriate and racist comments and actions, most of which he doesn't see as problematic because he has very little clue what it's like to be Black in America and he doesn't care to consider it. 

"You ever consider that maybe you not supposed to 'fit'? People who make history rarely do." 

When Justyce wants to give up and complains that he doesn't fit in the world of Braselton Prep, his mother won't hear of it. She emphasizes to Justyce that you have to make your own place in the world and fitting is the least of your concerns. Justyce's mother has dreams for her son to get an education and find a secure financial future. However, with this comment it is also clear that she wishes him to be independent and function without feeling the need to be accepted or to conform. 

"When they get to Manny's car and Blake pulls on the hood and raises his arm in the Nazi salute, Justyce knows the train he just hopped on is headed downhill in a major way."

Blake and Jared engage in offensive behavior and seem to be oblivious to the ways in which it might hurt Manny or Justyce. The Equality Brigade is created as Jared's way to show that stereotypes have been overcome, but in reality, it is a group of teenagers dressed as offensive caricatures. Both Blake and Jared are blind to how offensive their actions are because of their white privilege and because they've never stopped to think how their actions might affect other people, specifically Manny and Justyce. This insensitivity is on full display the night they go out, and Justyce recognizes his mistake in not shutting it down.

"For the moment, they understand each other."

When Justyce and Manny look down at their costumes, as a thug and a token Black guy, they get how the other is feeling. They feel embarrassed that a group of other Black teens saw them dressed as these stereotypes of their people. They feel disgusted that they were talked into participating in Blake's asinine idea. Manny realizes that while he is supposed to be this caricature of the token Black guy, he might actually be the token Black guy in his group of friends, and he pulls off the sweater tied around his neck. Justyce realizes that with his upbringing, living in a rough neighborhood, these guys from Braselton Prep really do see him as a thug, and he pulls off his hat and chain. 

"It's like I'm trying to climb a mountain, but I've got one fool trying to shove me down so I won't be on his level, and another fool tugging at my leg, trying to pull me to the ground he refuses to leave."

Stone uses Justyce's analogy to examine the ways in which the people around you can make success more difficult. In Justyce's case, he feels people like Jared trying to minimize his feelings and achievements to keep Justyce from truly being equal. On the other hand, he feels that people like Trey are trying to make him ashamed for wanting to leave the neighborhood where he grew up. This struggle follows Justyce through much of the novel until he recognizes that he can only worry about himself. 

"Jus shrugs. 'Is what it is. And since pissing my mama off ain't real high on my to-do list, SJ and I are strictly friends. Besides, me and Mel are talkin' again.'"

Stone's inclusion of Justyce's romantic dilemma serves to highlight a way in which race continues to influence the lives of teens. Although Justyce has feelings for SJ he doesn't date her because of his mother. We later see his mother's anger at the Friedman's, explaining to Justyce that she cannot shake their white hands after white men arrested and shot her son. She is also concerned that dating a white girl will only make life harder for Justyce. We later see Justyce's roommate chafe at meeting SJ, which suggests that to some degree she's right.  

"You're my only black friend, dawg. I'm supposed to go from this all-white world to an all-black one overnight?" 

While Justyce struggles to find his place in the mostly white world of Braselton Prep, Manny also struggles with his identity. This struggle to figure out where each of us fits is one of the major themes of this novel, and Stone highlights that the experience is that much more difficult when you exist in parts of society that are different from one another.

"That's when Jus realizes SJ was right: whether or not they win this tournament, he needed to talk about this in a public forum"

In this moment, Stone highlights the need for public discussion of issues like racism, racial profiling, and discrimination. Those discussions are important to develop empathy and inform the public; however, they are also cathartic for those, like Justyce, who have experienced those issues first-hand. It was also likely satisfying for Justyce to see an audience be receptive to his and SJ's argument, proving to him that there are people who are willing to listen and learn and, hopefully, help change things. 

"What the hell are we supposed to do, Martin? What am I supposed to do? Be like Manny and act like there's nothing wrong with a white dude asking his 'niggas' to help him exploit a black girl? Do I just take what they dish out, try to stop being 'so sensitive'? What do I do when my very identity is being mocked by people who refuse to admit there's a problem?"

Justyce's major dilemma in the novel is how he is supposed to deal with the racist behavior and actions of those around him. King's teachings speak of nonviolent protest and rising above, but Justyce is angry in this moment and feels like something must be said or done. One of his biggest qualms with Manny is precisely what he says in this quote: that Manny brushes off the behavior or makes excuses for it. Much of the novel consists of Justyce trying to determine what the reaction should really be in the face of racism. 

"Guys like Jared don't have any bearing on how far you get in life. If you know the stuff they're saying isn't true, why let it bother you?"

The character of Doc serves as a mentor for Justyce and as a mouthpiece for many of the ideas and teachings of Dr. King. In moments when Justyce is feeling frustrated or angry, Doc chimes in to remind him that he must be the best version of himself despite those around him and that he must push forward to be successful. Doc manages to remind Justyce of these ideas, likely helping to keep him from joining the Black Jihad or letting anger get the better of him and ushering him back toward King.

"For helping me get my eyes open. Didn't like what I saw, so I wanted to shut 'em again, but if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't know some of the stuff I've always felt around those guys is legit."

After Justyce calls Manny a sellout for excusing or ignoring the racist behavior around them, Manny comes to the realization that he was simply trying to deny that anything was wrong. Manny spends his life in a mostly white world where he is largely accepted; however, he realizes that none of the guys who claim to be his friend ever think about how their inappropriate and racist comments or behaviors might affect the Black guy sitting with them. With that realization, Manny opens his eyes to the shades of racism that exist and it frees him from having to repress his feelings.

"There's no predicting people's actions, but you can be prepared to face certain attitudes." 

Manny's recent realization that he wasn't being too sensitive or that he doesn't have to ignore some of his friends problematic behavior drives him to punch Jared for a racist remark. Manny's father worries that having sheltered Manny from how discriminatory the world remains may have put him at a disadvantage and driven him to a more emotional reaction. In finally talking to Manny about his own experiences in the past and even in his present position of wealth and success, Mr. Julian is giving Manny the preparation to enter the world knowing about "certain attitudes" (112) and he hopes Manny will be better equipped to deal with them. 

"I'm done bending over backwards to appease white people." 

After realizing that his friends don’t have the kind of respect for him that they should, getting in a fight with Jared, and then finding out that the Christensens are pressing assault charges, Manny has hit a boiling point. When Tison berates him over his music, Manny has had enough. What Manny doesn't realize is that his behavior in that moment escalates the situation. Manny's lack of experience and only recent realization that racism and discrimination still run rampant (even amongst his own friends) color intensify his reaction. Justyce, on the other hand, has been grappling with his anger and frustration, giving him a bit more perspective and allowing him to see that the situation with Tison is about to get out of control.

"It's hard out there by yourself, man. Martel gets it." 

In this quote, Quan hits at the heart of what Justyce is feeling. He can't turn to Manny because he's gone. He can't turn to SJ because she just wouldn't get it. Doc keeps giving him positive pep talks, but that approach has led to frustration. Martel, and the members of the Black Jihad, understand what it's like to be young and Black. They understand how it feels to be arrested because of the color of your skin. They get what it's like to feel like it's not even worth behaving because people just assume you won't. Stone seems to suggest that it's the feelings of camaraderie and understanding that have drawn countless youths to gangs.

"'I mean it's obvious this kid was leading a double life,' the guy is saying. 'You know what they say, Steven: you can remove the kid from the thug life...But ya can't remove the thug life from the kid.'"

Stone examines the influence of appearance on opinion throughout the novel. Justyce, himself, is surprised that he is racially profiled because he believed that he appeared nonthreatening. After the shooting, the media seemed to believe the same thing, focusing on Justyce's accomplishments. However, the moment that the image from the Equality Brigade fiasco is released, opinions change. Suddenly, Justyce is a thug and leading a double life. With this example, Stone forces readers to consider the intention of the media in showing only Justyce in the image, especially given the importance of context in that picture, and to consider why people's opinions were so quick to change.

"When it comes down to it, the only question that matters is this: If nothing in the world ever changes, what type of man are you gonna be?"

This single question from Doc allows Justyce to finally find satisfaction in his experiment with Dr. King. Justyce realizes that he need not consider what King would do; instead, he should consider what kind of man King was and aspire to something similar.

"'I can't even disagree with you, SJ,' he said. 'This is all my fault.' I had to look at my phone to check who I was talking to."

Manny's death changes Jared. In taking responsibility for the image that the media uses to slam Justyce, readers see a side of Jared that likely did not exist before. Previously, Jared was the type of person who would tell other people they were being too sensitive if something he said or did offended them. Losing Manny has given him some perspective, and in his grief, Jared seeks to do the right thing. Initially, SJ and Justyce are quick to question his intentions, but Doc reminds them of Jared's degree of grief and encourages them to give him a break.

"Justyce knew this question would come. What he isn't ready for, though, is the fear that seems to have elbowed its way in front of his fury. Is he ready to strike back? It's definitely not what Manny would want."

While Justyce seeks solidarity and continues to be angry over his arrest and Manny's murder, he knows that Martel and the Black Jihads are not going to fix things for him. Even though he continues to be filled with fury, the fear of doing something that Justyce knows is wrong is enough to dissuade him from that world. From the start of the novel, Justyce has had dreams and aspirations, and he recognizes that all that is lost if he goes down the path Martel offers him. 

"I'm afraid, son. This world is hard enough for a boy like you without the extra obstacles."

Justyce's mother has seen the injustice that exists for Black people. Since Justyce was young, she prepared him to handle a run-in with the police. She is adamant that he date a Black girl and unwilling to change her mind even after Justyce explains his feelings. Justyce's mother knows that he is entering a future that is likely filled with a lot of white people. She knows that he is going to face the same kinds of racism that he has already faced, and she worries that having a white girlfriend will only complicate things. Stone shows us Justyce's roommates reaction upon seeing SJ as an indication of the kind of behavior (in one of its mildest forms) that Justyce's mother worries about.

"Mr. McCallister, now that we've established that both you and Mr. [Julian] had a history of responding violently to perceived verbal slights [...]"

Stone uses the trial attorneys questioning to contrast two different ways that perceptions can be shaped. While the prosecution highlighted Justyce and Manny's academics and bright futures, the defense played up the fist fights and gang affiliations. The fist fights and gang affiliations seemed to outweigh the other glowing remarks, as the jury couldn’t agree on the felony murder charge, resulting in a mistrial.

"I CAN'T not notice when someone is eyeing me like I'm less than, and at this point, my mind automatically goes to race." 

Throughout the novel, Stone focuses on the aftermath of racist acts and behaviors. She gives readers a glimpse into Justyce's thoughts and lays out his frustrations, his anger, and his confusion. By the end of the novel, Justyce acknowledges that he assumes that anyone who treats him as inferior is doing so because of race. It is clear at the end of the novel, however, that Justyce has matured because he also recognizes that this instinct is due to his experiences. It is in identifying the causes of our instincts and behaviors that we can better understand them and alter them, if needed. 

"Maybe my experiment failed because I was asking the wrong damn question." 

Stone acknowledges that Justyce lives in a time when behaviors and attitudes are not as blatantly racist as they were during King's time. King was marching to end segregation and ensure civil rights for his people. Technically, those have been secured for Justyce. Therefore, though Justyce still faces systemic racism, racial profiling, and discrimination, he realizes that he cannot possibly do what Martin would do. Thanks to Doc, Justyce changes the question to ask what kind of person King was, and he brings his experiment to a satisfactory close. This change in perspective gives Justyce the freedom to take some time and figure out who he is and what he believes so that he can also stay true to himself.