All American Boys: 10. Tuesday: Rashad Summary & Analysis

The chapter begins with a long quotation from a newscast about Rashad’s arrest. There is an interview with Claudia James, the woman who shot the video. She says that Rashad was “manhandled” and that he couldn’t have been resisting arrest, considering that he was handcuffed. This is followed by another interview with a man who claims that Paul was right to do what he did. Rashad is dismayed by the second interviewee’s views, particularly his comments about Rashad’s appearance. Rashad mutes the TV and gets back to work on his drawing. Clarissa comes in, and Rashad thanks her for all her kindness. On TV, the police chief expresses support for Paul, and Clarissa tells Rashad: “Don’t let the bastards get you down.”

Jessica enters Rashad’s room, and says that David couldn’t make it, as he has an upset stomach. She gives Rashad an envelope from Chief Killabrew, and asks what he’s drawing. When Rashad shows her his drawing, she starts to cry. She reminds Rashad that he is not a criminal, and Rashad can sense her anger. She repeats: “This is not okay.” Paul Galluzzo is shown on the TV, and Jessica calls him an “asshole,” which shocks Rashad, as his mother never curses. She apologizes; Rashad holds her, and they cry together.

Later, Jessica and Rashad are watching Family Feud when Spoony and Berry arrive. Berry is in law school, which pleases David. She is also beautiful; Rashad describes her as “everybody’s first crush.” However, after she and Spoony started dating, Rashad and his friends stopped joking about their attraction to her out of respect for Spoony. Spoony shows Rashad a picture of the graffiti outside school. Berry explains that the graffiti has inspired a hashtag, #RashadIsAbsentAgainToday, and that there is going to be a protest. Jessica is nervous about this and tentatively suggests that not all cops are bad, adding that she married a good one. Spoony quickly disagrees. Rashad asks if protests actually work, and Spoony and Berry insist that they do.

Soon after, English, Shannon, and Carlos arrive; they, too, immediately begin talking about the protest. English explains that Mr. Fisher is helping them plan it. Jessica remains hesitant. The boys share stories of times they’ve been treated with aggression and suspicion by the police. After hearing these stories, Rashad announces that he is “down with the protest,” even though part of him remains nervous.