Thomas Opeka Mrs. Belkin February 14, 2023 English Positive experiences are very important because they can help people live a happier life. In the book Dear Justyce by Nic Stone, the main character Quan suffers at home. These troubles lead Quan to take big risks and he eventually ends up in jail for a crime he does not commit. When Quan is charged with the murder of Officer Castillo his friends are there for him and back him up because they know that he did not murder Officer Castillo. Over the course of the book, Quan writes letters to his friend Justyce about his feelings and recent experiences. Even in Quan's corrupt and troubled childhood, he still feels a sense of belonging, hope, and community several times. This was shown specifically …show more content…
Quan can’t count on his family so he is forced by people who are less trustworthy. When Quan joins the Black Jihad, he steps into a whole new world that can endanger Quan more than he has ever been. Before Quan joins the Black Jihad he meets up with his friend, Trey, at the playground. Quan talks about his suffocating homelife to Trey and that he needs support. After hearing this, Trey, who is part of the Black Jihad, leads Quan to the leader, Martel, who lets him in the gang. Justyce hears the news that Quan joined the Black Jihad and asks Quan why he joins. In one of Quan’s letters to Justyce he describes that he needs people to support him. “I needed backup. Support without judgment. People who had not and wouldn’t give up on me”(Stone 94). It is clear that Quan has found people that would believe in him no matter what he does. The Black Jihad provides a safer space than his family does and is always there for him when he needs it. Even though the Black Jihad provides many good things for Quan it still comes with its inherent risks like criminal activity and violence. Overall, Quan feels a sense of belonging that is hard to come by in his troubled childhood before he joins the Black