Review||Nic Stone. 2017. Dear Martin||

The book Dear Martin by Nic Stone highlights racial discrimination and the hardships faced by individuals because of their skin color, despite some claims that such issues don't exist. The story follows Justyce, an African American teenager from a tough neighborhood.

Justyce doesn’t expect to experience the same struggles as other black individuals because he is focused on his studies and on his way to an Ivy League university. However, when he is wrongfully arrested due to a misunderstanding, he realizes that some people only see him for his skin color. This incident prompts him to question why people can’t see him as a human being deserving of respect. To cope, he starts a project to be like Martin Luther King Jr., and writes letters to Dr. King in his journal to maintain his sanity and sense of reason.

Another crucial support in Justyce’s life is his best friend, Manny. Though Manny is also black, he comes from a wealthy family and lives in a posh area. Manny becomes frustrated when his friends, who deny the existence of racism, make racist jokes. Despite his frustration, Manny remains silent to preserve their friendship, which can be frustrating to witness. I find myself resonating most with Manny, making him my favorite character. Manny understands when not to react with anger and usually knows his limits.

One day, while driving and playing loud music, Justyce and Manny encounter an off-duty white police officer who disapproves of their music and decides to shoot them. Manny is killed, and Justyce is left injured and questioning his core beliefs. After grappling with emptiness, a near involvement in a gang, a frustrating trial, and the death of the officer, Justyce eventually heads to university. Despite facing prejudice from some at Yale, he finds supportive friends and starts to feel content.

Justyce’s story serves as a constant reminder to remain patient and strive to be a better person. Regardless of others' perceptions or actions towards us, we must hold onto our true selves.
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Comments

  1. JosephAugust 2, 2024 at 2:40 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. JosephAugust 2, 2024 at 3:37 PM

    Excellent job, Sarina...! I fully agree with your concluding sentence, "Regardless of others' perceptions or actions towards us, we must hold onto our true selves."

    ReplyDelete

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