Dear Martin: Chapter 21 Summary & Analysis

Justyce is at his school’s commencement ceremony when two police officers approach him and his mother. He isn’t surprised to see them, since he’s been waiting to be accused of something ever since Blake claimed publicly that he assaulted him (this “fell flat,” apparently, since “even the pundits were smart enough to ignore a kid photographed in a KKK robe”). “Justyce McAllister?” one of the officers says. Justyce’s mother interrupts before the officers can ask him any questions, but Justyce tells her to calm down. Still, she presses on, shaming the officers for approaching her son and explaining the turmoil he’s been through. Once again, though, Justyce urges his mother to be quiet, agreeing to cooperate. When the officers ask him what he knows about Garrett Tison’s house burning down, he says, “Only what I’ve seen on the news.”

The police officers turn around to consult one another. As they do so, Justyce’s mother scolds him for disobeying her by talking to the police. In response, he points out that “refusing to talk” would make it look like he has “something to hide.” “You can’t protect me forever,” he adds. When the officers return, they tell him that they’ve arrested three people in connection with the fire. Two of them—including Trey—have named Justyce as an accomplice. “I promise I had nothing to do with it, Detective,” Justyce says, and the police officer nods. “Well, we’re hesitant to believe these guys,” the officer says. “For one, they’ve both tried to implicate innocent parties before. For two, the third young man did not mention you, which, considering the circumstances, is a little odd.”

The officers ask Justyce yes-or-no questions. One question pertains to whether or not he has had contact with people like Trey, and Justyce answers honestly, saying, “Yes.” “I went to meet someone, and they were there,” he says. His mother is beside herself upon hearing this, but the officers remain calm, continuing their questions. “Who were you meeting?” one of them asks, but Justyce’s mother interjects, saying, “If they’re not connected to the arson, does it matter?” The officers look annoyed, but Justyce is “relieved” his mother asked this. When they ask if Justyce had contact with the Black Jihad on the night of May 20th, he says no. “Haven’t seen or spoken to [them] since April twentieth.” He then tells them that he was with his girlfriend on May 20th. As his mother stares at him, he calls over SJ and Mrs. Friedman, who confirm his story.

On the ride home from graduation, Justyce’s mother doesn’t speak to him. It isn’t until he locks the door when they get home that she finally criticizes him for keeping so much from her. She goes on to scold him for dating a white girl, claiming that there are “plenty of brilliant black women” who would be just as good for him as SJ. “So what you’re saying is after a lifetime of getting picked apart because of my skin color, I should dismiss the girl I love because of hers?” Justyce says. Still, his mother doesn’t change her mind, saying that she won’t give him her “blessing.” “I know you grown and you gonna do what you want, but you on your own here baby,” she says, adding, “As you made clear earlier, I can’t protect you forever, right?”