Andrew Pace
In the book *Dear Martin*, Emmanuel 'Manny' Rivers is a basketball player at Braselton Preparatory Academy. Manny is one of the only Black students at the school and is best friends with Justyce McAllister, another Black student. Manny also counts Jared Christensen, a white boy, among his closest friends, despite the fact that Jared often expresses racist ideas and makes bigoted jokes. In one instance, Jared makes a racist joke about a Black woman, which Manny calls him out on. The next day, Manny stews over the incident, thinking about how Justyce was right about Jared's racism. In another instance, Jared uses Manny as an example in class to argue that racial inequality no longer exists in the United States, claiming that Manny's parents' wealth and success prove that Black people have the same opportunities as white people. After Jared makes another racist joke, Manny decides to quit the basketball team, and when Jared finds out, he jokes that Manny can't quit until Massah sets [him] free. This causes Manny to attack Jared, and Jared's family presses charges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Setting | Basketball practice |
| Main characters | Jared, Manny |
| Relationship | Friends |
| Topic of discussion | Racial inequality, racial discrimination |
| Manny's family background | Wealthy, successful |
| Jared's argument | Racial inequality doesn't exist in the US |
| Manny's reaction | Uncomfortable, stewing over the incident |
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What You'll Learn
- Jared makes a racist joke about a Black woman, angering Manny
- Manny quits the basketball team after Jared makes a racist comment
- Jared claims Manny's parents' success proves racial equality exists
- Jared uses Manny as an example to argue racial inequality no longer exists
- Jared makes a racist comment about Manny needing his Massah to set him free
Jared makes a racist joke about a Black woman, angering Manny
Jared, a white student at Braselton Preparatory Academy, often expresses racially-charged ideas and casually cracks bigoted jokes. On one occasion, he makes a racist joke about a Black woman, angering his friend Manny, one of the only Black students at the school.
Manny comes from a wealthy and successful family and has grown up around privileged white people, counting Jared among his closest friends despite Jared's frequent racist comments and jokes. In the past, Manny has chosen to ignore or laugh off Jared's racist remarks, prioritizing his status as an easygoing and well-liked basketball star and ladies' man. However, Jared's latest joke crosses a line for Manny.
The incident occurs during a basketball practice, when Jared makes a racist joke about a Black woman walking nearby. Manny, who has already been grappling with the racism he experiences at the school, is deeply offended and angered by Jared's comment. He calls Jared out for his insensitive remark, but Jared dismisses Manny's concerns, telling him to "stop being so fucking sensitive."
Manny spends the next day stewing over the incident, recognizing the validity of his friend Justyce's previous criticisms of Manny's willingness to tolerate racism from his white friends. He realizes that by laughing off Jared's racist jokes, he has been perpetuating harmful narratives about Black people. This realization leads Manny to make the decision to quit the basketball team, acknowledging that he only played the sport because it was expected of him due to his tall stature and race.
The incident marks a turning point in Manny's understanding of racism and its impact. It also highlights the complex dynamics of race and friendship within the privileged environment of Braselton Preparatory Academy. As Manny grapples with the aftermath of the incident, he finds solace and support in his friendship with Justyce, who helps him navigate the challenges of facing racism and standing up for himself.
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Manny quits the basketball team after Jared makes a racist comment
Manny Rivers, a basketball star and one of the only Black students at Braselton Preparatory Academy, has long endured racist comments and jokes from his peers, including his friend Jared Christensen. Despite Jared's problematic behaviour, Manny chooses to ignore the racism he experiences, prioritising his status as a well-liked student. However, after a racist joke made by Jared, Manny decides he has had enough and quits the basketball team.
Jared, a white student at the academy, frequently expresses racially-charged ideas and makes insensitive jokes. He argues that racial inequality no longer exists and that Black people have the same opportunities as white people if they work hard enough. Manny's parents, who are wealthy and successful, are used by Jared as an example of this. Manny, growing tired of Jared's comments, asks to be left out of these discussions. However, Jared's behaviour continues, and he even persuades Manny to dress up as a "token black guy" for Halloween, further showcasing his lack of sensitivity and understanding of racial issues.
Manny initially tolerates Jared's behaviour, but eventually, a series of events cause him to reconsider his friendship and his participation in the basketball team. After a conversation with his friend Justyce, Manny realises the extent of the racism and insensitivity of his peers, including Jared. He spends time reflecting on a racist joke made by Jared and how Justyce had called him out on it. Manny's reflection leads him to the basketball coach's office, where he expresses his desire to quit the team. He admits that he never truly enjoyed basketball and only played because of the expectations associated with his height and race.
During Manny's conversation with the coach, Jared happens to be in the office, and he makes another racist comment, saying that Manny can't quit until "Massah sets [him] free." This comment pushes Manny over the edge, and he attacks Jared. As a result, Jared's family decides to press charges. Unfortunately, this incident is not the end of the tragedy, as Manny is later shot and killed by an off-duty white police officer.
Manny's story highlights the destructive impact of racism and the importance of recognising and addressing it. His decision to quit the basketball team serves as a powerful statement against the racism he experienced and the toxic environment created by peers like Jared.
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Jared claims Manny's parents' success proves racial equality exists
In the book *Dear Martin*, Jared Christensen is a white student at Braselton Preparatory Academy and one of Manny Rivers' closest friends. Manny is one of the only Black students at the school and comes from a wealthy and successful family.
Jared often expresses racially-charged ideas and makes bigoted jokes, which Manny initially chooses to ignore. During a Societal Evolution class, Jared argues that racial inequality no longer exists in the United States, refusing to acknowledge the perspective of his Black classmate SJ, who points out that Jared has never experienced discrimination.
Jared's claim that Manny's parents' success proves racial equality exists is part of this broader argument. Jared points to Manny's parents' wealth and success as evidence that Black people have the same opportunities as white people in the country. He states that Manny's parents' success demonstrates that Black people can achieve the same level of success as white people if they are willing to work hard enough.
However, Jared's argument is flawed and ignorant of the systemic racism and discrimination faced by many Black individuals. Manny's initial silence in response to Jared's racist comments can be understood in the context of his desire to maintain his status as a well-liked basketball star and ladies' man. However, as the novel progresses, Manny begins to recognize the problematic nature of his peers' racism and bigotry, and he eventually decides to quit the basketball team, acknowledging that he only played because it was expected of him as a tall, Black student.
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Jared uses Manny as an example to argue racial inequality no longer exists
In the book *Dear Martin*, Jared Christensen is a white student at Braselton Preparatory Academy, one of Manny Rivers' closest friends, despite frequently expressing racist ideas and making bigoted jokes. Manny is one of the only black students at the school and comes from a wealthy and successful family.
During a Societal Evolution class, Jared argues that racial inequality no longer exists in the United States. He uses Manny as an example to prove his point, stating that Manny's parents' wealth and success demonstrate that black people have the same opportunities as white people if they work hard enough. Jared says:
> "Dude, Manny drives a Range Rover... I'm just saying your folks make way more money than mine... I'm not saying they didn't [work hard]. You just proved my point. Black people have the same opportunities as white people in this country if they’re willing to work hard enough. Manny’s parents are a perfect example."
Manny, uncomfortable with Jared's racist comments, asks him to leave him out of the discussion. However, Jared refuses to acknowledge the experiences and perspectives of his non-white peers, including Manny and another student, SJ Friedman. When SJ points out Jared's privilege and the fact that he has committed the same "crime" that a black peer had on his "criminal record", Jared dismisses it, further illustrating his denial of racial inequality.
Jared's denial of racial inequality is also evident in his response to a Halloween costume incident. He persuades his friends, including Manny, to dress up as "stereotypes". While Jared dresses as a "Yuppie/Politician", Manny puts together a "token black guy" costume. Even when another student, Blake, wears a Ku Klux Klan outfit, Jared remains silent, indicating his unwillingness to confront the prevalence of racism.
Jared's argument that racial inequality no longer exists is contradicted by the very existence of racism and insensitivity within his friend group. Manny eventually recognises the problematic nature of his peers' comments and actions, and his own complicity in ignoring them to maintain his status as an easygoing and well-liked student.
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Jared makes a racist comment about Manny needing his Massah to set him free
Jared Christensen, a white student at Braselton Preparatory Academy, often expresses racially-charged ideas and casually cracks bigoted jokes. On one occasion, Jared uses his black classmate Manny Rivers as an example in a Societal Evolution class to argue that racial inequality no longer exists in the United States. Manny, who is one of the only black students at the school, chooses to ignore Jared's racist comments and jokes, prioritizing his status as a well-liked basketball star.
However, in a particularly disturbing incident, Jared makes a racist comment to Manny during basketball practice. After Manny decides to quit the basketball team, Jared jokes that Manny can't quit until his "Massah sets [him] free", a clear reference to slavery and a deeply offensive statement. This comment pushes Manny over the edge, and he attacks Jared in response.
The incident highlights the insensitivity and racism prevalent among some of the students at Braselton Preparatory Academy. Manny's white peers, including Jared, frequently make racist jokes and comments, creating a toxic environment for their black classmates. While Manny initially tolerates these remarks, the incident during basketball practice serves as a turning point, leading him to recognize the harmful nature of Jared's words and the need to stand up against racism.
Jared's comment to Manny during basketball practice is a stark example of racial insensitivity and a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racism and discrimination within educational institutions. It underscores the importance of addressing these issues head-on and fostering an environment where diversity and inclusion are valued and respected.
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Frequently asked questions
Jared made a racist joke about a black woman walking by, and when Manny called him out, Jared told Manny to "stop being so fucking sensitive".
Manny spent the next day thinking about the incident and how his friend Justyce was right about Jared's problematic behaviour. He also decided to quit the basketball team as he only played because of the expectations of others.
Yes, after Manny was shot and killed by Officer Tison, Jared decided to become a civil rights lawyer. When he returned home for Christmas the following year, he and Justyce decided to be friends again.
Jared said that Manny's parents made a lot of money and that they were an example of how "Black people have the same opportunities as white people in this country if they’re willing to work hard enough".
