Rashad 1
What simple and seemingly harmless errand does Rashad Butler intend to run on his way to a Friday night party with his friends, and how does this everyday action—meant to buy a bag of chips—tragically escalate into a violent confrontation when Officer Paul Galluzzo enters the store? Describe the misunderstanding in full detail, including how Galluzzo misinterprets Rashad’s behavior.
Rashad goes into Jerry’s to buy a bag of chips before a party. While reaching into his duffel bag for his phone, a white woman nearby trips over him. Officer Paul Galluzzo, seeing the woman fall, wrongly assumes Rashad is assaulting or robbing her. Without asking questions, Galluzzo violently attacks and arrests Rashad.
What responsibility does Quinn Collins take on at home after his father’s death, and how does this role affect his relationship with his mother and younger brother?
Quinn takes on the role of man of the house, looking out for his mother and younger brother, Will. This responsibility strains him emotionally, and while his mother appreciates his help, it makes him feel older than his years and places pressure on him to appear strong.
How does Rashad reflect on his time in the hospital as he listens to news coverage and social media debates about his assault, and what feelings of alienation and frustration does this cause?
Rashad feels isolated and powerless as he hears people debate his character and actions without knowing him. It’s frustrating to hear strangers justify the assault or dismiss it. The experience deepens his sense of alienation, as his identity and pain become public fodder while his own voice is unheard.
What conflicting emotions does Quinn experience as he watches how his classmates, teammates, and even his family members react to the incident involving Rashad and Paul? How does this intensify his internal struggle about whether to stay silent or speak up?
Quinn feels torn between his loyalty to Paul and his growing awareness that what happened to Rashad was unjust. He notices his classmates either avoiding the subject or repeating biased rumors, which makes him uncomfortable. His mother avoids talking about it, and his teammates dismiss Rashad’s experience, deepening Quinn’s unease and guilt for staying silent.
How does Rashad process the news coverage and social media debates surrounding his assault while confined to his hospital room, and what emotions rise as he realizes the world is arguing over his character without hearing his voice?
Rashad listens to the news and reads social media posts from his hospital bed, feeling increasingly alienated and frustrated. Strangers debate his innocence or guilt, some defending the police, others demanding justice—all without knowing him. It’s infuriating for Rashad to become a public controversy while he lies alone, silenced and unseen.
What physical injuries does Rashad sustain from the assault by Officer Galluzzo, and how do these injuries symbolize both the immediate and long-term effects of police violence on young Black men like Rashad?
Rashad suffers a broken nose, bruised ribs, and swelling. These visible injuries represent the immediate physical harm of police violence, but also symbolize the deeper emotional, mental, and social wounds inflicted by unjustified aggression and racial profiling.
Describe how Quinn’s relationship with Officer Paul Galluzzo affects his perspective on authority and loyalty at the start of the book.
Quinn idolizes Paul, seeing him as a father figure since his dad’s death. This relationship causes Quinn to initially defend Paul’s actions, believing loyalty should come before judgment. It complicates Quinn’s ability to see the truth about Paul’s abuse of power.
What role does Spoony play in advocating for Rashad during his hospital stay, and how does this reflect Spoony’s personality and values?
Spoony fiercely advocates for Rashad, organizing community support and speaking out against the injustice. His actions show his bold, protective nature and his commitment to activism and justice. He embodies the refusal to stay silent and encourages Rashad to reclaim his agency.
How does Quinn’s conversation with English, his basketball teammate, begin to shift Quinn’s understanding of how the incident affects people differently based on race?
English opens up to Quinn about his own frustrations with racial profiling and the fear Black teens feel around the police. This conversation is eye-opening for Quinn, who begins to grasp how experiences of injustice aren’t isolated but part of a broader pattern. It challenges his belief that loyalty to Paul should come before fairness.
What role does Spoony continue to play as Rashad’s advocate and protector in this chapter, and how does his fearless nature contrast with their father’s response?
Spoony visits often, fiercely defending Rashad to the media and community. He pushes Rashad to stay strong and reminds him he’s not alone. Unlike their father’s fearful silence, Spoony’s boldness represents a younger generation’s refusal to tolerate injustice, inspiring Rashad to reclaim his agency.
How does Rashad’s father, David Butler, respond to the incident, and what does his reaction reveal about generational perspectives on race, respectability, and dealing with law enforcement?
David urges Rashad to stay quiet and avoid further trouble. As a former police officer himself, David believes survival comes from compliance, reflecting an older generation’s strategy for navigating racism by avoiding direct confrontation with authority.
How does Quinn react when he witnesses Paul violently assaulting Rashad, and what internal conflict does this create for him?
Quinn is shocked and disturbed, but he initially says nothing out of loyalty and fear. The incident triggers a conflict between protecting Paul and acknowledging the wrongness of the assault. Quinn feels guilt for remaining silent but is unsure how to speak up.
How does Rashad’s father, David Butler, continue to handle the situation, and what deeper reasons from his past contribute to his cautious stance?
David remains withdrawn and urges Rashad to avoid further attention. His cautious stance stems from his own experiences as a police officer and his belief that silence is safer. David’s internalized fear and survival strategies reflect an older generational perspective shaped by systemic racism.
n what ways does Quinn’s internal conflict manifest physically and emotionally during basketball practice, and how does this reflect his struggle to confront the truth?
During practice, Quinn feels distracted and heavy with guilt. He notices tension in the locker room and realizes he can’t focus on the game the way he used to. His performance falters, reflecting the emotional weight of carrying a secret and the moral conflict tearing at him from the inside.
How does David Butler’s visit in this chapter further reveal his internal struggles, and what deeper reasons rooted in his own past influence his reluctance to confront the situation publicly?
David visits Rashad but keeps conversations brief and advice cautious. Through their tense interaction, it’s clear David’s fear comes from his time as a police officer, during which he witnessed injustice but felt powerless to challenge it. His reluctance to act stems from hard-earned survival strategies shaped by systemic racism.
How does Spoony, Rashad’s brother, react differently from their father, and what does this contrast reveal about younger generations’ responses to racial injustice?
Spoony is furious and refuses to stay silent. He immediately takes steps to raise awareness about the assault, contacting a lawyer and rallying support. His activism reflects a younger generation’s determination to confront injustice directly and publicly.
What role does Jill, Paul’s cousin, play in challenging Quinn’s silence and hesitation about the incident?
Jill directly questions Quinn about the incident and pushes him to reconsider what’s right. Her refusal to stay silent about Paul’s actions forces Quinn to confront his own moral code and begin questioning his loyalty.
What does Rashad’s art begin to symbolize for him during his hospital stay, and how does it help him process both trauma and his growing role in a larger social conversation?
Rashad’s sketches become symbols of resistance and healing. Through art, he processes trauma and articulates feelings he can’t voice. The drawings reflect his personal pain while connecting him to broader conversations about injustice, giving him a sense of control and purpose.
How does Jill continue to serve as a moral compass for Quinn in this chapter, and what specific advice or challenge does she offer him about choosing the right side of history?
Jill pushes Quinn to recognize that silence is a choice and that by protecting Paul, he’s choosing to support injustice. She tells him that doing nothing is the same as siding with the oppressor and urges him to decide whether he wants to be part of the problem or part of the solution. This forces Quinn to reevaluate his priorities.
What symbolic meaning does Rashad’s sketchbook take on in this chapter as he continues to draw, and how does it help him begin to process not only his personal trauma but his role in a broader struggle?
Rashad’s sketches evolve from personal pain to social commentary. His drawings depict not just the attack but the long history of violence against Black bodies. The art becomes a coping tool and a quiet act of resistance, connecting him to a broader conversation about injustice.
By the end of the first chapter, how does Rashad’s sense of identity and safety change as a result of the incident?
Rashad begins to feel alienated from the world around him, recognizing that his safety and dignity can be threatened at any moment. The assault forces him to see himself not just as a regular teenager, but as part of a larger struggle against systemic injustice.
By the end of the book, what early signs of Quinn’s transformation begin to show as he grapples with the implications of what he saw?
Quinn starts feeling alienated from his friends who defend Paul and uneasy about ignoring what he witnessed. He begins recognizing that staying silent contributes to injustice and starts seeking courage to face the truth.
in the book how does Rashad’s decision about participating in the upcoming protest signify his personal growth and evolving identity?
Rashad decides he will attend the protest, no longer content to stay silent. This marks a turning point in his journey from victim to advocate, embracing the power of his voice and actions. It signifies his growing courage and sense of duty to stand up for justice.
how does Quinn’s outlook on Paul and the incident with Rashad begin to shift, and what emotions accompany this realization?
Quinn starts to see Paul not just as a family friend, but as a man capable of terrible actions. This realization makes him feel betrayed, confused, and ashamed of himself for defending Paul. He knows he can no longer ignore what he saw and begins accepting that standing by silently makes him complicit.
By the end of this chapter, what decision does Rashad make regarding the upcoming protest, and how does this choice reflect his growing strength and personal transformation?
Rashad decides he will attend the protest, breaking through his father’s fear and his own uncertainty. This choice marks a pivotal step from victimhood toward advocacy. It reflects Rashad’s transformation into someone willing to risk visibility for the sake of justice and solidarity.