Wed love to have you back! That's not to mention you tossin' the n-word around like you own it'" (91). Manny: Token black guy By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. But the books protagonist, Starr, shares broader similarities to Justyce, too. Jus's choice of attire paired with his race identifies him in Castillo's eyes as a person of interest. She asks, "You ever consider that maybe you are not supposed to 'fit'? Be respectful; keep the anger in check; make sure the police can see your hands.. She is annoyed at Jus's arrival, but as she tries to stand to greet him, she falls over and hits her face against the car door. BANG. When it comes down to it, the only question that matters is this: if nothing in the world ever changes, what kind of person are you going to be?. Afterward, SJ avoids him for the rest of the night. "Dear Martin" is a first-person perspective about what it means to be a young African American in today's era. In The Hate U Give, having to testify at a grand-jury trial leads Starr to protest, though its not the first shes learned of alternative modes of activism. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Jus is left panicking before he is even fully sure of what is going on: "Jus's heart jumps up between his ears. His mum doesn't approve of him dating white girls. Jus feels as if this unjust encounter with the police has changed him and resolves to pay more attention to his surroundings. What am I supposed to do? It is incredible to him that a man like Mr. Julian works as hard as he does and still is not fully respected. Bond B\mathrm{B}B has a coupon interest rate of 14%14 \%14% paid annually. He resolves himself to find out the kind of person he wants to be. Justyce has to testify . He tells his mom, "'All I know is I can't seem to find where I fit. (36). By this time, the sun was already coming up. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. In fact, Jus is accosted when his back is turned, which places him in a position of vulnerability in relation to the police officer. Solved by verified expert. However, Castillo racially profiles Jus and believes him to be "up to no good." Dear Martin author Nic Stone manages not only to maintain the characters' humanity in what could easily become a paint-by-number pulled-from-the-headlines story, but also breathes a realness into each character so they become just like people readers already know. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. See where it gets me (Stone 13) What do you think Justyce means when he says he wants to live like Martin Luther King Jr. and do what he does? Americas a pretty colorblind place, one student claims, only to seemingly imply in the next breath that Justyce got into Yale because of affirmative action. Melo Taylor (pg. Jay Coless Tyler Johnson Was Here, about a boy whose twin brother is a victim of police brutality, will be published in the spring. The news reports arson at Officer Tisons home. Manny begins to come to terms with his identity as a Black person, which comes into direct conflict with the friendships he has with racists. He is extremely upset because he has just learned that Jared's dad is pressing charges against Manny for "assaulting" his son. Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. 3) Who was the main character of the book? Chapter 13 ends at the pinnacle of the chaos, when Manny's shout is cut off: "'OH SHIT!' Justyce is irritated by how reductive some of the arguments are, but he doesnt say much. (120). It was the same when I was 19 and mentoring 17-year-olds and its the same for me now at 35 mentoring kids. Doc reveals that he got a call from Manny a couple of hours ago, who was worried about Jus. Those assholes aren't my damn friends'" (209). He tells the boys that he wonders if he did not prepare Manny enough for the harsh realities of this world. Manny's father, Mr. Julian, comes down to Manny's basement to talk to the two boys. In Dear Martin, Justyce becomes disillusioned and more conscious of racism after a police officer assaults and arrests him. Manny picks up Jus to go for a drive. People often learn more from getting an undeserved pass than they would from being punished'" (113). He then tells Doc what happened at Blake's party. "Dear Martin Chapter 1Chapter 4 Summary and Analysis". Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Manny, Jared Christensen, and SJ are also in this class. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. He swigs again just to feel the burn" (89). Like I totally don't even see you as black, Manny! In his first letter to Dr. Martin Luther King, he describes his various accomplishments: "I'm ranked fourth in my graduating class of 83, I'm the captain of the debate team, I scored a 1560 and a 34 on my SATs and ACTs respectively, and despite growing up in a 'bad' area. A simple questionWhat would Martin do if he were alive?guides the novels protagonist throughout his senior year, as he encounters everything from his white classmates racism (down to one guy dressing up as a Klansman for Halloween) to police profiling. Manny's cousin. Surprisingly, Jared wants to help correct the misguided impression of Justyce. Cooper, James ed. Free shipping for many products! In Dear Martin, Justyce becomes disillusioned and more conscious of racism after a police officer assaults and arrests him. Chapter 14 is just three words that take up the entire page: "BANG. But Justyce has an alibi: He was with SJs family the night of the fire. Castillo perpetuates the racist stereotype that hoodies are markers of illegal activity when they are worn by Black men. In the Book Dear Martin, What is Justyce's best friend's name? Go to the website of Siemens. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Jus tells Manny that what happened to Tavarrius Jenkins could have easily happened to him that night when he was trying to help Mel. Its sequel, Dear Justyce, centers around Vernell LaQuan Banks and his experience in the juvenile justice system. $24.99 Second, he sees that the wall behind the bar in Blake's basement is filled with pictures from minstrel shows, featuring white actors in blackface. After all, Justyce isnt the type of teenager who wants to associate with people who carry pistols around and threaten others at parties. The jury doesnt reach a conclusion about the murder charges against Officer Tison. That Sunday, he went home and seethed, thinking about how bad a friend he had been to Jus. Chapter 14 is just three words in a vertical column: Dear Martin study guide contains a biography of Nic Stone, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Manny asks Jus if he wants to talk about his feelings, but Jus avoids the conversation. Manny is bubbling with anger, and Jus suggests that they go for a drive to cool off. His head smacks the doorframe just before a hand clamps down on the back of his neck. Manny ends up offering Jus a ride home and says that their friendship is in trouble if Jus does not get in Manny's car. Doc encourages Justyce to focus on the kind of man he wants to be, and SJ apologizes to Justyce for avoiding him. Jus goes to help Melo, even though they are not dating anymore, because he wants her to be safe. Blake: A Klansman Manny inquires about Jus's wrists, which are still hurting him. See our. He wonders why he's supposed to be nice and appeasing when the people around him don't care about not being racist: "Those assholes can't seem to care about being offensive, so why should I give a damn about being agreeable?" The tragic end to that encounter (Manny is fatally shot and Justyce is wounded) and the aftermath (the press latches onto a thug narrative for Manny, the cop is not convicted of the felony murder charge) reads all too familiarly. The em-dash at the conclusion of Chapter 13 shows a break to the tension: we have reached the moment that the narrative was building towards. His upper body slams onto the trunk with so much force, he bites the inside of his cheek, and his mouth fills with blood" (7). That Justyce decides not to say anything about Blakes costume illustrates why Blakes actions are so insensitive and unfair. When Rico sells a jackpot . A series of rapid events impedes Jus from being able to help Melo: first, she throws up all over him; second, she slaps him in the face and then spits on him after he continues to try to help her; and third, a cop car pulls up behind them as Jus is strapping Melo into the back seat. Thomass 16-year-old narrator, Starr, is the sole witness to a police shooting that kills her friend, and struggles to defend him as her world becomes increasingly chaotic leading up to her grand-jury testimony. LTP: What do you want readers to take away from Dear Justyce? BANG. Her mom, Mrs. Friedman, is the one who drove Jus home in Chapter 1. BANG. After Blake's birthday party, he is feeling fed-up and frustrated. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? Being inside his head is like recognizing in real-time that teenage awkwardness is far from the only thing that a 17-year-old black student has to overcome. From seeing the micro-aggressions and posttraumatic stress brought on by a frightening encounter with the police, to experiencing the everyday details of first relationships and parental expectations, readers slip easily into Justyce's mind and feelings, truly going on this journey with him. In Dear Martin, meanwhile, Justyce struggles with the respectability politics that his idol sometimes embodied. Powerful Stories About Martin Luther King Jr. By the time that Blake comes up to Manny and Jus, Jus is ready to explode. In his letter to Martin, Jus wonders how Dr. King survived the political turmoil that surrounded him at all times: "You know, I don't get how you did it. Do you feel that Manny is caught between two worlds? Manny follows him in his car, but Jus is mad at Manny as well. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, https://www.enotes.com/topics/dear-martin. 'Niggas gettin' shot for carrying candy and cell phones and shit. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Once again, Mannys white friends trivialize the idea of inequality by acting like they can do whatever they want. Jus calls out Blake's racist decorations and the fact that he wants Manny and Jus to help him get with the Black girl: "'You coming over here asking us to help you use a black girl IS a big deal, Blake. In Jus's mind, education is a social goodit is an instrument of power or a way for him to change his own circumstances. In Chapter 4, Jus is sitting in the senior lounge when Manny and Jared walk in accompanied by a group of their friends, Kyle Berkley, Tyler Clepp, and Blake Benson. Chapters 1-4 1. He also notes in the postscript to the letter that SJ is still ignoring him. Single. Before he can get his head out of the car, he feels a tug on his shirt and is yanked backward. Officer Castillo called for backup and Melo's parents made it to the scene, but they were unable to successfully advocate for Jus's release. Jus tries to explain himself, but the officer hits him in the face before he can continue. The tension builds in Chapter 13, as Manny gets upset and on a drive with Jus that quickly gets out-of-control. Dear Martin ends on an optimistic note, suggesting that its protagonist's shift in consciousness is exactly what prepares him to take on the world beyond adolescence with a sharpened perspective of how racial bias impacts society. Manny is not wearing his hiking gear and is instead still in his pajamas. 2015s All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely followed a black high-school student beaten by a cop who mistakes him for a shoplifter. Both the physical assault and the arrest, which place him in the criminal justice system for the first time, make him more aware that racism affects relations between police and Black youths. Your privacy is important to us. My biggest hope with Dear Justyce is that when people close that book, they look out the window and see the world in a completely different way that they come to recognize everybody is fighting some kind of battle. A cracked rib, punctured lung, and nerve damage in his right arm. After his graduation, the police question Justyce in connection with the fire because some Black Jihad have named Justyce as an accomplice. He also reflects on why his be-like-Martin experiment didn't work. We see anger bubble to the breaking point in several characters over these pages, including the dispute over loud music between Manny, Jus, and the white man driving the Suburban in Chapter 13. And we realized the Black girls have to stick together and support each other because were not getting a whole lot of support form outside of our own community. Accessed 2 Mar. But what I find is that youth hasnt changed. I don't know where all this me against the world shit is comin' from but you really need to check yourself" (93). In the next chapter, Chapter 12, Jus notices that Jared and Manny are both missing from school. He is a Black teenager from Atlanta who goes to a prestigious prep school on a full scholarship. Plus, she is the hottest girl in school, which is important to Jus. The author compares Justyce's decision to go out with the boys to a train in Chapter 6/7 of "Dear Martin" to emphasize the consequences of his actions and the potential danger he faces as a young black man. And while Justyce is drawn to Kings teachings of resilience and nonviolence, he is put increasingly on edge as he observes the failures of the world around him. Endearing and painfully realistic, this could be a news story any day in America. In that 12 to 18 range, human beings are looking for some kind of validation and theyre looking for somebody that can help them understand the world around them without telling them what to do. Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. The Saturday after Blake's party, they went to a festival, where Manny had to grit his teeth after four separate offensive comments made by Jared. Justyce can hear the approaching footsteps, but he stays focused on getting Melo strapped in. Dont have an account? See where it gets me" (13). Justyce and Quan (as he's known to friends) may have grown up a block apart, but their realties couldnt be more different. Who unfairly detains and handcuffs Justyce? He was upset the Manny would always accept the racist stuff Jared and his friends say. He goes back to his room and calls Manny, but there's no answer. He wonders what would have happened if Manny was in Jus's situation in Chapter 1 and worries that he did not prepare his son enough to handle that kind of run-in with the police. Doc pulls up two statements for the class to discuss: "All men are created equal" and "What does the obvious change in the application of this phrase from 1776 to now tell us about how our society has evolved?" However, before they kiss, SJ turns away from him. At Bras Prep, Jus is one of only a few Black kids at his school. Dear Martin opens with a scene of police brutality, which is defined by a member of law enforcement using undue or excessive force against a subject. The media misrepresent Justyce as a thug, which angers SJ. The Black Lives Matter movement, which began partly in response to police brutality, is often compared to the civil-rights era. Elsewhere, too, Stone complicates the notion of the moral high ground: Was it wrong for Justyce to punch his fellow classmate for using the n-word? His Dear Martin project, in which he tries to live like Martin Luther King Jr., is put in jeopardy from the moment he's put in handcuffs. Stone doesnt wrap up Justyces trajectory neatly. (30). Mannys parents give Justyce an heirloom watch in memory of Manny and tell him that Mannys cousin Quan wants Justyce to visit him in juvenile detention. Ultimately, Manny thanks Jus for "helping [him] get [his] eyes open" to the realities of this world (110). He tells Jus, "'I woke up'" (108). $25,000\$ 25,000$25,000 in rent paid for store space. This description sets a background of suspicion that would raise anyone's hair. The Question and Answer section for Dear Martin is a great How did Justyce refer to the attack from the policeman when he writes letters to Martin? In this scene, however, Manny is less interested in talking about Tavarrius Jenkins and more interested in attending Blake's birthday party that evening. It's well-written, honest, and a gut punch that leaves readers thinking about it for weeks after reading it. At the trial for Mannys murder, the defense attorney cross-examines Justyce, trying to paint Justyce and Manny as volatile and violent. Run away?" There's a good chance that if he'd 'slowed down' when Manny told him to, he wouldn't feel fury when he sees the wall behind the bar in Blake's basement is lined with posters from 'William H. West's Big Minstrel Jubilee'" (89-90). When it comes to mentoring, theres so much we can learn from young people and it keeps me from forgetting what it was like to be young. Jus snorts and says that Manny doesn't know him. NS: The new Shuri book [The Vanished (Shuri: A Black Panther Novel)] is coming out Feb. 2 and I like it a lot. Continue to start your free trial. Specifically, Stone explores topics such as microaggression as we watch Justyce's classmates make racial jokes and accuse him of being "too sensitive"; white privilege, systemic racism, and white fragility all while racial profiling and the need for affirmative action are . There's some swearing (including "f--k" and "s--t"), teen drinking, and grief. What Trey says to Justyce and Manny about how their white friends see them is especially troubling because it challenges Justyces sense of belonging, which is already rather fraught. Before their conversation can continue, Manny's mom, Dr. Rivers, comes downstairs into Manny's room. He wonders if he caused all that damage to Jared's face the night of Blake's party. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Dear Martin by Nic Stone (2018, Trade Paperback) at the best online prices at eBay! At the same time that many young people are turning to different forms of activism to find their voices, authors of color are proving that there is an appetite for stories that elevate voices that are often systemically ignored. During waves of national outrage over the deaths of unarmed black men, many people have reflexively asked, What would Dr. King do if he were alive today? I also think you'll just enjoy it, the characters are wholesome. Ask why he cares more about some stupid white-boy party than he does about the unjust death of a guy who looks like him" (89). They couldn't care less what it's like to live in our skin. Here, Officer Castillo uses excessive force as soon as he arrives on the scene. It concerns him that most other students at the elite preparatory school he attends seem to downplay racism. Blake, to make matters worse, asks Manny and Jus to talk him up to a Black girl who is at the party and uses the n-word. Jared then questions what Melo sees in Justyce: "What the hell does a hottie like Melo Taylor see in a guy who can't afford a Happy Meal?" In that moment when I thought I was dying, it hit me: Despite how good of a dude Martin was, they still killed him, Justyce says to a teacher, reflecting on the shooting. Their friendship is rekindledbut the frustration and anger inside of them continue to rise. I have my own mentors and what they pour into me, I feel like its important to pay that forward. More books than SparkNotes. When Justyces mother learns hes dating a white girl, she becomes upset. Its all about agency and recognizing that you have to decide how to present yourself to the world. Who is Sarah-Jane? Who is in Jared's posse? While Stone describes herself as brazenly optimistic, the thought experiment in Dear Martin nonetheless acknowledges that the challenges of race are unending, and that how you deal with them depends a lot on who you are at the time.