All American Boys

by

Jason Reynolds

Jessica Butler Character Analysis

Jessica is Rashad and Spoony’s mother. She is a kind, caring person who Rashad describes as a peacekeeper within the family, always trying to settle disputes between others and keep everyone happy. She is religious and perhaps a little conservative––Rashad is shocked to hear her use the word “asshole” to describe Paul Galluzzo. Although she is initially nervous about participating in the protest, in the end she does so with pride.

Jessica Butler Quotes in All American Boys

The All American Boys quotes below are all either spoken by Jessica Butler or refer to Jessica Butler. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism, Stereotyping, and Police Brutality Theme Icon
).
5. Sunday: Rashad Quotes

Honestly, I just wanted to take it easy for the rest of the day. I didn’t want to hear Spoony preach about how hard it is to be black, or my father preach about how young people lack pride and integrity, making us easy targets. I didn't even want to think about the preacher preaching about how God is in control of it all, or my mother, my sweet, sweet mother caught in the middle of it all. The referee who blows the whistle but is way too nice to call foul on anyone. That’s her. She just wants me to be okay. That's it and that’s all. So if football was going to be the thing that took our minds off the mess for at least a few hours, then fine with me.

Related Characters: Rashad Butler (speaker), David Butler, Jessica Butler, Spoony Butler, Pastor Jerome Johnson
Page Number: 101
Explanation and Analysis:
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Jessica Butler Quotes in All American Boys

The All American Boys quotes below are all either spoken by Jessica Butler or refer to Jessica Butler. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism, Stereotyping, and Police Brutality Theme Icon
).
5. Sunday: Rashad Quotes

Honestly, I just wanted to take it easy for the rest of the day. I didn’t want to hear Spoony preach about how hard it is to be black, or my father preach about how young people lack pride and integrity, making us easy targets. I didn't even want to think about the preacher preaching about how God is in control of it all, or my mother, my sweet, sweet mother caught in the middle of it all. The referee who blows the whistle but is way too nice to call foul on anyone. That’s her. She just wants me to be okay. That's it and that’s all. So if football was going to be the thing that took our minds off the mess for at least a few hours, then fine with me.

Related Characters: Rashad Butler (speaker), David Butler, Jessica Butler, Spoony Butler, Pastor Jerome Johnson
Page Number: 101
Explanation and Analysis: