Dear Martin

In these dated entries, Justyce writes to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Justyce explains that he is a senior on scholarship at "Braselton Preparatory Academy" (10) who has an excellent academic record, stellar test scores, and a bright future that includes an Ivy League education and a law degree. However, Justyce points out that during his experience with Officer Castillo, "literally none of that mattered" (10). Justyce believed that when Melo's parents got there, things would be better. However, "no matter what they told the cops" (11), Justyce remained in custody but is eventually released hours later.

Justyce feels lost, as he "never thought [he'd] be in this kind of situation" (12). He mentions Shemar Carson, a Black teen killed by a white police officer in Nevada. Justyce thought he'd never be in a similar situation because he didn’t "come across as 'threatening'" (13). Justyce believed that although he was from "a rough area" (13), being a good person with a bright future would mean that he was "exempt from the stuff THOSE black guys deal with" (13). He points out how hard it is to admit that he was wrong and being so blatantly racially profiled has changed him. He realizes that things are not as equal as people pretend they are, so he resolves to try to do something about it, with Dr. King as his guiding force. 

Manny is playing a violent video game, causing Justyce to think of Castillo's gun. He asks Manny to switch games, and with "a supportive squeeze" (15), Manny obliges. Manny reminds Justyce that he's there for him if he wants to talk, but Justyce doesn't really know "what to say" (15). Then, Justyce drops the bombshell that he and Melo got back together. Manny expresses concern at this development, pointing out that Melo watched silently as the "cop brutalize[d his] ass" (16) and has cheated on Justyce before. Justyce thinks about how girls flock to Manny and all the other perks in life that Manny has that he doesn't: "two parents with six-figure salaries, a basement apartment, a badass car, crazy confidence..." (17). Justyce brushes off Manny's concerns. Manny’s mom, Dr. Tiffany Rivers, enters the room and gets a call that Manny's cousin has been arrested for the murder of a police officer. 

As Justyce enters class on Tuesday, he is distracted by the lack of an indictment in the Shemar Carson case and by Manny's cousin's arrest. Manny's cousin, Quan Banks, "confessed to shooting […] Tomás Castillo" (19), and Justyce is shaken by the coincidence that Castillo was the man who arrested him. He is also surprised to realize that Quan grew up in his neighborhood. Justyce feels conflicted about Castillo's death and what might happen to Quan. He wonders if Castillo would have been indicted if he had killed Justyce.

Dr. Jarius “Doc” Dray pulls Justyce aside to caution him that today's topic "might hit a nerve" (20). Justyce likes Doc, as he is his teacher, his debate coach, and "the only (half) black guy Jus knows with a PhD" (20). Jared Christensen, a white student, enters the room. He is a friend of Manny's of whom Justyce isn't very fond. Sarah-Jane “SJ” Friedman, another white student, also enters slinging snide remarks toward Jared. She makes Justyce laugh and has been his debate partner for a couple of years.

Doc starts the class discussion by displaying the phrase "all men are created equal" (21) on the board. After establishing the context of that phrase, Doc asks them to consider how whether "we've reached full 'equality' with regard to race" (23). Jared makes the argument that "America's a pretty color-blind place now" (24), using the success and affluence of Manny's family, who is Black, as his example. SJ counters, pointing out that Manny's family is an exception, referencing statistics that show that "African Americans are still getting a raw deal" (27). When the conversation turns to Shemar Carson's death, Jared and SJ have a back and forth as to whether Carson's criminal record or skin color led to his death. Justyce, who has remained quiet through much of the conversation, leaves the room.   

Justyce sits in the back of the senior lounge, and when Jared and Manny and the rest of their friends enter, they don't see him. Jared complains about Doc's suggestion that "there's racial inequality" (30). Throughout much of Jared's commentary, Manny, the only Black person in the conversation, remains quiet, laughing belatedly or snorting. Jared claims that Dr. King's dream has been achieved, pointing out that he and the others don't even think of Manny as Black. The group, including Manny, cheers to equality. As Justyce listens to the conversation, he can hear Manny's hesitations and knows that his heart isn't in his laughter. Justyce thinks about his arrest and realizes that while "these fools might not 'see' Manny 'as black' […] the police would" (33).