All American Boys

Rashad wakes up in the hospital on Sunday thinking about how he was supposed to be having fun at Jill’s party Friday night, but how “instead some big-ass cop decided to have a fist party on [his] face” (86). Rashad’s parents arrive with Pastor Jerome Johnson, which annoys Rashad, who thinks that he believes in God, but still “wonder[s] where God was when [he] was being mopped by that cop” (89). Pastor Johnson tells Rashad that “everything happens for a reason,” but Rashad can only ask himself, “[W]hat reason could there have been for this?” (90).

Spoony arrives as the pastor is leaving, and Rashad’s brother quickly turns on the TV news. The smartphone footage of the beating is playing as the newscaster identifies Rashad by name and states, “The officer proceeds with what looks to be unnecessary force” (92). Spoony reveals that he and his girlfriend found the video online and sent it to the news, along with Rashad’s name. Their father is furious, saying, “Rashad doesn’t need this kind of attention” (93), and storms off. They continue to watch the news and see a photo of Rashad in his ROTC uniform. Spoony admits to sending in the picture, saying that he “had to make sure [they] controlled as much of the