Welcome to your online discussion of All American Boys!
Together with members of your book group, you’ll be reading All American Boys by Brendan Kiely and Jason Reynolds over the next several weeks. Although you're not required to take notes while you read, it would be wise to keep track of important events and characters for your own clarification. You are, however, expected to participate regularly and thoughtfully in an online discussion of FOUR essential questions.
Here's how it works:
Divide your book roughly in half. You need to have read and blogged about each half by the due dates below.
There are two kinds of posts in this discussion: response and comment.
Response = direct response to the essential questions
Comment = comment on someone else’s posted response or comment
Post at least THREE responses for each half of your book (SIX overall).
You must respond at least once to each of the essential questions over the course of your reading. One of your six responses can be a “free-response" post.
Post at least THREE comments for each section of your book (SIX overall).
Due dates:
- Post your first set of responses and comments by Monday, May 20 (Blue 2), and Tuesday, May 21 (Red 2).
- Post your second set of responses and comments by Thursday, May 30 (Red 2), and Friday, May 31 (Blue 2).
- How does prejudice affect the lives of young people growing up?
- How and why are people prejudiced?
- How are justice & courage related?
- In what ways does this book refute the notion of the “single story”?
** Free-response option: Address another issue/episode/or passage in the book that you find significant for any reason.
Assessment:
To earn maximum credit, post thoughtful responses that are at least a few sentences in length—and carefully proofread! Do not misspell characters' or authors’ names! Also, be sure to include specific references to the text (either details or short quotations). Page numbers, too, are always helpful.
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ReplyDeleteSpoony is the only courageous one directly after the incident, everyone else seems to want to not fight the system
ReplyDeleteYes, it takes days for most characters, including Rashad, to find the mo to protest the injustice of what happened. However, Carlos does make an early move by spray-painting the sidewalk in front of the school, which ignites a much larger movement.
DeleteI agree, I think Rashad admires Spoony for standing up to everyone elses views on the incident, even though it causes some conflict in their family.
DeleteI didn't like how they had two people telling the story at the beginning of the book, it was a little confusing when I was reading it.
ReplyDeleteSpoony is the only one who is brave after the big incident, no one else wants a part in going against the system
ReplyDeleteIt was kinda confusing at the beginning when the novel was told by two different characters
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 4 we see that Quinn is very disturbed by what he saw Paul do to Rashad, but at this point he doesn't know if it is simply injustice or if it is racial prejudice.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting insight, because I think that this gets mixed up in our world a lot. I do think there is a difference between in-justice and racial profiling when it comes to subjects like police brutality, and these i feel are often confuseD with each other. In this specific case I would call it racial profiling.
DeleteDavid's and Spoony's reactions to the incident are almost opposites, David thinks that black people should make themselves seem threatening to the police, and Spoony says that people who commit acts of racism should not assume that black people are always guilty of something.
ReplyDeleteI think that prejudice affects Rashad a lot not only because of the incident with Paul but also after it, because he is caught in the middle of many opposing and competing beliefs and views on the situation.
ReplyDeleteAnd at first he had to stand up to his father who automatically assumed he looked the part of a common and stereotypical shoplifter.
DeleteI agree. This could also be used in arguments about stereotypes. Maybe it was the way he was dressed added to his skin color. The way African Americans dress is part of their culture, but is sometimes take the wrong way I think
DeleteI think this book show the relationship between courage and justice well because it shows a lot of people standing up for something they believe in, even if there are people who disagree. For example Spoony standing up to his fathers strong views is an act of courage.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and especially for Quinn where he has to make the decision on whether or not to stand up to who is essentially family.
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ReplyDeleteI think this book demonstrates the connection between mettle and equity well since it demonstrates many individuals going to bat for something they put stock in, regardless of whether there are individuals who oppose this idea. For instance, Spoony confronting his dad's solid perspectives is a demonstration of strength.
ReplyDeleteI believe that partiality influences Rashad a great deal as a result of the episode with Paul as well as after it, since he is gotten amidst many contradicting and contending convictions and perspectives on the circumstance.
ReplyDeleteQuinns situation is almost if not equally or more difficult than Rashads, he has to stand up to someone he considers family. And even though he knows Paul is wrong he doesn't want to admit it.
ReplyDeleteYes, which is where courage comes in, because sometimes you need to be brave to stand up to prejudice. This is another way that the story shows the relationship between courage and justice.
DeleteI think this is quite relevant to everyone. I think a lot of times people are raised in a way that makes them scared to go against their guardians beliefs, so it took a lot of courage for Quinn to stand up for his own opinions.
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ReplyDeleteI think prejudice affects kids especially growing up because black or white, it restrains them from having their own views and opinions, right from the jump. Like I said earlier about the parents having too much of an influence on their kids.
ReplyDeleteI agree and I think parents ideas and beliefs are almost always passed on to their kids, so sometimes kids are held back from having their own views on things because all they know is what their parents tell them.
DeleteHow and why are people prejudice?-
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of times it is because people assume the worst and then it turns into more of a self defense situation. I the book, when officer Galluzzo abuses Rashad, it is not so much about his actions than it is about what caused him to do those things.
I think in this case Paul assumes the worst partly because of Rashads race, which is the whole problem.
DeleteJustice and courage are very closely knit, but also very different things at the same time. In the book, They boys showed courage because they wanted justice. That is an example of why justice and courage are related in a way.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I would say justice and courage often come together, for example if people want justice, it will often spark courage. Like Spoony standing up to his own father in Rashads defense, or Carlos spray painting the sidewalk in front of the school.
DeleteAt first Quinn tries to just ignore the incident and pretend he isn't involved, which should never be the solution. Racism is a problem that affects everyone and we shouldn't try to ignore it.
ReplyDeleteI think that the cop beating him at the beginning of the book should of had more detail.
ReplyDeleteI don't like how it goes back and fourth between Rashad and Quinn for telling the story.
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