Chapter 5

Write about something happening in the book that you can relate to. How did you react? Try to put yourself in the character’s shoes and say why you think they feel the way they do

In my opinion, Jared takes this whole “Equality Brigade” thing way too far in this chapter. He thought it would be a good idea if their group (consisting of Jared, Manny, Kyle, Tyler and Blake) dresses up as different “stereotypes” for Halloween. Jared somehow thinks that “It’ll be this massive political statement about racial equality and broken barriers and shit”*, he even asked Justice to participate, and even tho he didn’t want to at first, Manny convinced him to dress up too. Jus is the “Thug” with exposed boxers, belted pants, Thug Life T-shirt, a thick gold chain and a snapback. Manny dressed up as the “Token Black Guy”; khakis, loafers and a polo shirt with a sweater over his shoulders. The “Yuppie/Politician” is Jared. He’s wearing a suit…and a spot on his chin where he nicked himself while shaving (That’s not much, in my opinion). Tyler decided to be the “Surfer Dude” with board shorts and a tank top (kinda looks like he forgot how cold it would be). Kyle went with the “Redneck” and he’s wearing a woodland camouflage shirt, a trucker hat with a Confederate flag patch (Big Nope for me) and cowboy boots. At this point I was already uncomfortable, I don’t like stereotypes in general and some of these “costumes” are REALLY toeing the line (especially Kyle’s) and I already knew that Jared’s idea wouldn’t end well. But when I read what Blake was wearing, I wanted to throw the book against a wall. He (for some reason) thought it would be acceptable for him to wear a bloody Klansman robe. With the whole red and white cross patch on his chest and a pointed hood. HOW. Just HOW. And WHERE did he get that “costume” from??? I don’t even think I want to know. SEVERAL things are just WRONG with that outfit, and it would take too long for me to list them all. But I wondered how DENSE those white kids have to be to think this is a good idea (As you can probably tell, I’m pretty angry and fired up right now (for good reason) and because I don’t wanna punch my laptop, I’ll move on with the story). Manny and Jus are the only sane people in this group and they both feel VERY uncomfortable with Blake’s choice. Manny asks Jus if he maybe wants to go home, and even tho Jus wanted to back out a LONG time ago, he still decides to stay (BIG mistake in my opinion). If I was there, I wouldn’t have gone with Jared’s group in the FIRST place but if I had, I would’ve thrown the towel by the point I saw Kyle’s costume. But Blake just went too far and I probably would’ve punched him. No wonder why Jus and Manny feel so uncomfortable! If this is the “stereotypical white man” then we should be VERY afraid. Anyway, the whole group rolls out and they didn’t even fully make it to the car when Blake puts his hood on and gives the f-ing Nazi Salute. Oh boyyyyy…..I can’t, I just can’t. What are you even supposed to say to that? Just why. WHYYY. This is a raging dumpster fire and those guys are adding more and more gasoline with everything they do. I particularly love how the author describes the situation: “Justice knows the train he just hopped on is headed downhill in a major way. It occurs to him that the moment he said he was cool with the whole thing, he cut the brake lines and completely surrendered his power to stop it.”** I think that sums the whole situation up. I felt the exact same way as Jus, this is gonna end VERY badly. But I wonder, HOW could those boys think that this whole thing is a good idea? Is it more “normal”or “common” for guys in the US? Do they not know what kind of implications those “costumes” have? Or are they just VERY dense and racist? Because that is some next level sh*t. Can you do those sort of things in the US? Is it morally acceptable for a white teenage boy living in the USA to dress up as a Klansman on Halloween? Is the law not doing anything against it? The question if people living in Switzerland would get away with those things crossed my mind, and then I remembered that something similar happened at this years “Fasnacht” (which has some pretty racist groups in it, if you ask me) where a bunch of people dressed up as Klansmen. BUT, they DID get prosecuted so it was seen as a criminal offence with racist motives behind it. Does that happen in the US as well? One would hope so. But if that’s true, Blake isn’t very scared of getting arrested, is he? But at least other people don’t think it’s acceptable, cause as soon as the whole gang (which Jared calls “Equality Brigade”) joined the halloween party, someone sucker-punched Blake in the face (he deserves it). It was a boy named Trey who has come to the party with a group of his friends. Jus knows all of them, they live in his neighbourhood (which doesn’t make the situation better) and he’s pretty sure that they’re all in a gang called the “Black Jihad”. They seem to be the only people with some sense in them, because Trey says to Manny and Jus “The fuck y’all doin’ here with these assclowns, bruh? Jus gon’ letcha boy (referring to Jared) disrespect our people like that?”*** and I COMPLETELY agree with his statement. Jared tries to defend himself, but Trey just gets even angrier (rightfully so) and Jus tries to defuse the situation by calling it “this satire thing with stereotypes, and it went too far”**** (that’s an understatement). But now Trey is coming after HIM, and he calls Braselton Prep “that rich-ass white school”*****. Even so, Jus is still on (somewhat) friendly terms with Trey and he tells Manny and Jus “These white boys might be standing here next to y’all, but y’all still ain’t nothin’ but (wait, am I allowed to write that word? I’m not sure, and I feel uncomfortable, so I’ll “bleep” it out just to be safe) n**gas to them, ya heard me? Ain’t no amount of money nor intelligence can change that shit”****** and I think that is the whole truth, right there. Jared of COURSE immediately defends himself and says that it’s not true, but the other guys in his group now that it’s not the best moment right now and they tell him to shut up (at least they know when things are going too far). The gang tells Jared and his three other friends to get lost, but Manny and Jus can stay with them if they want to. But Trey says “Bruh, you know those n**gas don’t wanna chill with us. They “goin places” and shit. Gotta stay connected to the white man for the ride to the top”******* and that made me think. Because, unfortunately, there is some truth behind that. The only way POC can be successful is with help from a white person. Wow. At this point, my thoughts headed in the direction of “where did society go wrong” because it is just unacceptable that this is still happening in the 21st Century. It makes me very angry and frustrated, and now I’m somewhat glad that I don’t live in the US. Because we see these things happening over there nearly daily. It also occurred to me that I can’t really “relate” to such an experience, because I don’t face that kind of injustice. I have no right to act like I do and I also have no right to speak for those groups, they need to speak for themselves. The challenges society throws at me are VERY different than the challenges thrown at a WOC (Woman of colour). I can just try to assume how the characters feel without going to far and taking their voices away. Anyway, Jus and Manny decide to leave and when they join Jared and the others, their eyes meet and “for the moment, they understand each other”********. They both face the same difficulties in society and so they know how the other feels. I don’t, not really. I can never imagine what they have to go through on a daily basis. But I do understand that it gave them a connection, a bond. And it’s a shame that it’s still happening.

*Page 39, row 9-10

**Page 42, row 12-16

***Page 43, row 11-12

****Page 43, row 21-22

*****Page 43, row 27

******Page 44, row 4-7

*******Page 44, row 23-24

********Page 45, row 8

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