Monster By Walter Dean Myers Essay

Racial injustice in the court system is a significant issue in America. 48% of people serving life imprisonment are black due to discrimination and racial profiling. The novel “Monster” by Walter Dean Myers, discusses this dispute effectively. The book explores the injustice of the court system and racial labeling. The novel delves into the life of 16-year-old Steve Harmon, on trial for his alleged involvement in the murder of a drugstore owner, and James King, also on the same trial. Throughout the book, Steve goes through major labeling from the prosecution, causing him to question his identity. By the end, the final verdict said that Harmon was indeed innocent. The acquittal from the jury against Steve is justified down to the lack of crucial evidence and

Mr Cruz’s performance as the victim on the witness stand was anything but convincing. When being questioned by King's defense attorney, Asa Briggs, he begins to make mistakes in his statement. Briggs states, “It wouldn’t be right to lie under oath, but it would be just fine to go into a drug store and stick it up. That’s cool, isn’t it?” (p.g. 104) and Cruz’s response “That was a Mistake”(p.g. 104). Later on, when Steve’s lawyer Kathy O’Brien starts questioning him and admits to the courtroom that he cut a stranger's face and assaulted his girlfriend, “So your first answer was a lie? “It was a mistake” “You also said that the robbery was a mistake. Perhaps you can tell us the difference between a mistake and a lie?” “Hey, I’m just trying to turn my life around. I made a mistake and now I figure it’s about time I did the right thing.”(p.g 106)...”You weren’t afraid to fight a member of the diablos to get into the gang. You weren’t afraid of cutting a stranger in the face. You weren’t afraid of beating up your girlfriend. But you were afraid of Bobo,” (p.g.