1s And what about that guy with asthma that they choked, Amari said. And that other guy who got beat up by a bunch of cops and nobody would have known about it if somebody hadn't recorded it on their phone.
16 It could happen to anybody, Ashton said. Not just ... like black guys and Puerto Rican guys
17 Amari stood there looking at Ashton for a minute. Then he just shook his head and put his backpack on his shoulder.
1s Show me one time when it was somebody who looked like you
Ashton.
19 I still think—, Ashton started to say. Amari didn't wait for him to finish, though. Just left without even waving goodbye.
By the end of this chapter, Woodson brings the rising conflict between Amari and Ashton's
backgrounds/viewpoints to a breaking point. How do you read what Amari says in paragraph 18? Why does it get so frustrating? Is it misunderstanding? Is it something else?
In paragraph 18, Amari challenges Ashton to show him an instance when someone who looks like Ashton has been a victim of the same kind of injustice that he and other black and Puerto Rican individuals have experienced. Amari's frustration stems from the fact that Ashton seems to downplay or trivialize the systemic racism and police brutality that disproportionately affects people of color.
Amari's question highlights the stark difference in their lived experiences and societal privileges. It suggests that Ashton, as a white person, may not truly understand the extent of racial discrimination and the fear that marginalized communities face. Amari's frustration could also stem from the fact that despite countless examples of discrimination, some individuals like Ashton fail to recognize or acknowledge the ongoing problem.
Overall, Amari's statement reflects the frustration of many individuals from marginalized communities who perceive a lack of empathy or understanding from those who have not experienced systemic injustice firsthand.