Summary Of Dear Martin By Justyce

In the book Dear Martin by Nic Stone. Justyce a black teenager, is experiencing how unfair the world can be, and the discrimination and police brutality taking place around him. Justyce wonders how different things would be if he was white instead of black. When Justyce is arrested for just trying to help someone, he starts to realize that even though he is a good student and obeys the law, many people will still unfairly judge and accuse him because of his skin color. When Justyce and his best friend Manny are shot at by an off duty police officer, and Manny is killed. Justyce must stand up for what is right and find answers. Justyce starts to write letters to Martin Luther King Jr. in a search to try to find out more about the world and himself,

“The same newspeople who instigated Thug-Gate were speculating about Justyce’s involvement in the arson plot. Despite having nothing to do with it, for four days now, he’s been waiting for someone-cop, reporter, angry mob-to come after him.” Justyce recalls when thinking about the case. (175). Even though Justyce has had nothing to do with the arson, he is a main suspect of the fire and of the stereotypes the news is reporting about him, it does not even surprise Justyce that he is a suspect because he has been treated this way multiple times before. Another way Justyce faces discrimination through the news is right after Manny’s death. “The man was defending himself from thugs.” the officer's neighbor states in an article. (131). The article reports people defending the person who shot at Manny and Justyce and blaming Justyce for the attack. Another example of this is a police officer stating “the indictment is nothing more than a publicity stunt at Tisons [the shooters] expense. They’re out to make an example of him. Prosecutor pulled the race card, and the grand jury bought it hook, line, and sinker.” (131). Many people believe that Justyce is at fault, not the man who shot him and Manny, and many people are making assumptions about it because of Justyce and Manny’s skin color. All of these points prove that Justyce faced discrimination and prejudice from the news and