Letters to Martin
What historical figure is Justice writing letter to throughout the book?
Martin Luther King Jr.
What school does Justyce attend?
Braselton Preparatory Academy.
Why did the police stop Justyce at the beginning of the story earlier in the book?
They suspected him of wrongdoing while he was helping Melo.
Who is Justyce’s best friend?
Manny
What historical movement is closely connected to Martin Luther King Jr.?
The Civil Rights Movement.
Why does Justice start writing the letters to Martin?
His teacher suggests it as part of the "Do the right thing" project / to reflect on justice
What activity connects Justyce and Sarah-Jane (SJ)?
Debate team.
What stereotype about Black men is discussed or implied in conversations during these chapters?
That they are dangerous or criminal.
What nickname do Manny and Justyce use for Sarah-Jane?
SJ
What does Justyce’s “MLK experiment” symbolize in the story?
Testing whether nonviolence and moral behavior still work today.
What experiment does Justyce try to do in his daily life inspired by MLK?
He tries to live by Martin Luther King JR's principles.
What major topic do students argue about in the debate discussions in these chapters?
Racism / justice / police violence.
What frustrates Justyce during conversations about racism at school?
Some classmates dismiss or minimize his experiences.
What makes Justyce unsure about how others see his friendship with SJ?
She is white and he worries about how people judge them.
Why are the classroom debates important for the story’s themes?
They show conflicting views about race and justice.
What major question does Justyce struggle with in his letters during these chapter?
Whether doing the “right thing” actually works in the real world.
What makes the debate discussions tense between some of the students?
Differing views about racism and privilege.
What internal conflict does Justyce face when dealing with racist attitudes?
Whether to stay calm and follow MLK’s philosophy or react emotionally.
What quality makes SJ an important ally for Justyce in conversations about race?
She listens and supports him even when discussions are uncomfortable.
What does Justyce’s growing frustration symbolize about his character development?
He is beginning to question idealistic beliefs about justice.
Why do the letters become more emotional and frustrated around Chapters 5–7?
Because Justyce starts questioning if MLK’s ideas still apply to modern racism.
What does the debate reveal about how differently students experience or understand racism?
Some students see racism as exaggerated while others experience it personally.
What idea do these chapters suggest about “respectability” and behavior for Black students?
Even behaving perfectly doesn’t guarantee fair treatment.
Why do Manny and Justyce sometimes disagree about how to deal with racism?
Manny tends to joke or brush things off while Justyce takes it more seriously.
What message might the author be suggesting through Justyce questioning MLK’s philosophy?
That modern racism creates challenges that make simple moral answers difficult.