Dear Martin

Jared: I’m not saying they didn’t, dude. 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.

SJ: Seriously? You really think one example proves things are equal? What about Justyce? His mom works sixty hours a week, but she doesn’t make a tenth of what your dad ma-

Justyce: S, chill with that, man.

SJ: Sorry, Jus. What I’m saying is Manny’s parents are an exception. Have your not noticed there are only eight black kids in our whole school?

Jared: Well, maybe if more people were like Manny’s parents, that wouldn’t be the case.

Justyce: [Take another deep breath.]

SJ: Ah, okay… so you’re saying people just need to pull themselves by their bootstraps?

Jared: Exactly.

SJ: In order to do that, they have to be able to afford boots.