Racism Exposed In How It Went Down By Kekla Magoon

On February 26th, 2012 Trayvon Martin, a black teen was shot and killed by a white patrolmen while on his way home from a convenience store where he had bought a bag of Skittles and Iced Tea. Controversial cases, including the following, on whether or not the shooter was prejudice or racist are very common. Prejudice and racism are still relevant issues that can lead to violence and even death. In Kekla Magoon’s novel, How It Went Down, Tariq Johnson a black teen is shot dead while coming home from a convenience store. Although, he was an innocent young teen his killer, Jack Franklin thought otherwise.The theme, don’t make assumptions based on race and appearance because it can lead to unnecessary violence is present in the novel How It Went

After the shooting takes place characters of different races and upbringings express their thoughts. Shortly after Tariq is shot a father of a black son comments, “How hard is it to understand? Like I always tell Will: If you dress like a hood, you will get treated like a hood. If you want to get treated like a man, you have to dress like a man. Simple as that” (Magoon 44). Because gang violence is common in Underhill, the way you dress determines how you are treated by others. Everyone assumes that the characters are up to no good, if they are dressed like gang members. Tariq was not only shot because he was black, but also because he was dressed in clothing that gang members in his neighborhood typically wore. One of Tariq’s friends also says, “But my mom took away all my hoodies last night. Says I have to make do without them, so I won’t get shot” (Magoon 95). Will, one of Tariq’s friends complains after his mom takes away all of his hoodies because she fears that wearing hoodies will make him look like a gang member. When people make assumptions that others are gang members or up to no good because of their skin color or appearance, they are more likely to feel in danger and take violent