Hargun Kaur Shari Tracy Adv. English 1 23 February 2023 HEROES ARE JUST BYSTANDERS THAT SPOKE UP Discrimination and other acts of injustice are, sadly, common amongst humans and communities. It is important to learn about the effects of these acts, not only on the person it happens to but also their community. One book that communicates that well is All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. This book had many messages that could help people and society as a whole. The main central theme or message of the book is to never stay silent while witnessing discrimination. Society could be influenced in the sense that we do not always speak up when witnessing injustice or oppression, and are sometimes oblivious to it. Also by recognizing that many people are racist, whether they mean it or not. Sometimes when we are close to someone we overlook their flaws, so if we start to recognize that it can help us become better people. …show more content…
Like said by Elie Wiesel in his Nobel prize acceptance speech in 1986, “Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” “OUR SILENCE IS ANOTHER KIND OF VIOLENCE.”(Kiely 292) this quote is saying that staying silent might just be as worse as being the one discriminating against someone. Staying neutral in situations of police brutality and other acts of prejudice is also in favor of the oppressor, “IF YOU ARE NEUTRAL IN SITUATIONS OF INJUSTICE YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSOR”(Kiely 290) I think this quote would help change society for the better because, a lot of people stay neutral to try not to arouse feelings or divide people, which seems fair, but them doing that is helping the oppressor. This is because then the oppressor is not being called out or confronted because of their acts, this results in them obtaining a mindset that it is okay to discriminate or be