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41 pages 1 hour read

Jerry Craft

Class Act

Fiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Middle Grade | Published in 2020

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Chapters 11-13Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 11 Summary: “The Adventures of Captain Undertones: Now in Fool Color”

The time of year is now February, and Drew and Liam are slowly making up and learning to accept each other’s differences. The school seems to be waking up to their issues with diversity and inclusiveness, and the ignorance of the staff at times. They hold an assembly and announce that they will be sending staff out for diversity training as well as improving the sister school program to be more sensitive to students. Jordan seems impressed at first, but Drew is skeptical. Mr. Roche, the teacher who has continually fumbled his way through social interactions with people of color, is announced as the head of the new “Office of Diversity and Inclusion” (194). Next, the school shows a movie called The Mean Streets of South Uptown (198), which depicts a stereotypical version of life for Black people. Drew and Jordan are disgusted, and a frame shows them slipping out of their chairs into oblivion. The other students seem moved and almost changed by the film, apologizing to Drew for their hair-touching and offering gifts out of pity.

Jordan draws another comic as an emotional response, citing his experience watching the old sitcom Good Times with his father and realizing that Black people are usually depicted as struggling and suffering. He feels like people view him and Drew the same way, noting “I guess if that’s all you ever see in TV shows, books, and movies… Then that’s the only thing you’ll ever think we are” (205). Two weeks later, Mr. Roche starts “SOCK” (Students of Color Konnect), a program to discuss racial issues at the school and beyond (207). When one student named Dahlia, who is biracial, asks if she can attend, Mr. Roche jokes, “Yes, Dahlia, but only to half the meetings” (207). It is clear that Mr. Roche is still clueless about racial sensitivity. He also overlooks Jordan, forgetting that he, too, is Black.

Chapter 12 Summary: “Affinity War”

Chapter 12’s title page shows Mr. Roche drawn as Thanos of Marvel comics, ready to destroy the universe of Drew, Jordan, and all their friends. The first SOCK meeting is held, and Mr. Roche makes a fool of himself. He compares the students to a variety pack of donuts, giving them an opening to mock him. They start asking each other questions like, “Ruby, how come you’re so bad at math?” (212) and “Graham, how come you don’t have an accent?” (213). By the end of the meeting, most of the students find that it was a decent experience, and Mr. Roche appears to be at least trying. Andy complains that it was a waste of time, but Mr. Roche insists that he be there to learn. Afterward, Drew is inspired to try and properly make up with Liam. He and Jordan suggest they all hang out at Jordan’s house over spring break. Drew reveals that he thinks Liam is afraid of seeing where they live, and Liam does not deny it. Drew points out to Liam, “If you really wanna feel what we feel… then you really gotta FEEL what we FEEL” (219). Liam feels uncertain about the idea but agrees for the sake of friendship.

Chapter 13 Summary: “Nay, Kiddo”

Jordan’s final comic is called “Do the Right Thing” (224). It depicts what he views as injustice and inequality between people like Drew and people like Andy. Drew is honest but poor and will likely remain this way for the rest of his life because of circumstances outside of his control, while people like Andy seem to thrive on their dishonesty to get ahead. Jordan is skeptical of his school’s attempts at diversity, finishing his comic with a drawing of all the ethnically diverse staff heading off for diversity training while the white teachers remain behind. However, it turns out that the school hopes to get new, more inclusive books, and teachers and students will visit inner-city schools from time to time.

Some days later, Drew and Liam go to visit Jordan at his house, accompanied by Mr. Pierre. Jordan’s father prepares homemade macaroni and cheese and potato salad and cannot wait for Liam to try it. Jordan introduces everyone to his neighborhood friend, Kirk, and his grandfather, who shakes Mr. Pierre’s hand fiercely. When Liam tries the macaroni, his eyes turn into hearts, and he becomes so full that he wants to sleep. Drew jokes, “That’s the comfort food comforting you” (232). The boys play games, Liam passes out, and then they all go to the basketball courts with Jordan’s parents. Jordan introduces Liam and Drew to his other neighborhood friends, who initially look at Liam strangely for being white. Everyone plays basketball, and Drew shows off his skills; next, they play soccer, and Liam is the best player. Jordan’s father suggests that Liam show everyone a new sport, and he teaches them a bit of lacrosse. When the day is done, Liam announces that he had a great time and thanks Jordan and his parents. Drew and Liam speak for a moment and find that their friendship has healed; Drew hopes to visit Liam’s house again soon. Liam and Drew compliment Jordan for his mature suggestion to have Liam visit, and Jordan feels proud of himself for having grown a little. He yells, “I’m not immature… I’m a cartoonist!!!” (246) and dances down the street. Before Liam says goodbye to Drew for the day, he briefly visits Drew’s apartment. He marvels at Drew’s trophies and the beautiful view from his balcony. The story ends as Jordan and his father go inside their home together. Jordan reflects on what he has learned over the past few months, realizing, “I’m a lot of things… but perfect is NOT one of them, and for now on I’m gonna be okay with that!” (249).

Chapters 11-13 Analysis

Over the past few months, RAD has exhibited both covert and overt racism and stereotyping toward Drew and other minorities at the school. Drew is still being singled out for his race, but this time, it is for the formation of a new program called “SOCK” (Students of Color Konnect). The program is ironically run by Mr. Roche, who has shown himself to be antiquated in his views and treatment of people of different ethnicities. Jordan is skeptical of the school’s desire to change, creating a comic where he jokingly shows only the staff members of color attending diversity training. He sees the school’s good intentions but feels they will fail. Fortunately, Jordan is proven wrong, as the school starts making tangible efforts to be more inclusive and understanding of diversity. They ask Drew and other students of color to pick out new books for the library, and the SOCK program turns out to be more effective than people thought. As the school starts to make reparations for past mistakes, Drew also begins to heal and feel more like himself.

Drew’s healing is further aided by Jordan’s idea to invite him and Liam over for the day. He feels Liam does not understand him or his position in life, and Liam wants to understand. Jordan’s father spends the day with the boys, and Liam loves his food and the games they play together. He confesses to having a great day, and Drew apologizes for judging him based on his wealth. Drew confesses that it took time to reconcile everything, but he wants to move forward with a clean slate. Liam insists that each of them, including Jordan, “try to stop being so hard on each other” (244). Bridges are built back up, and the line of communication between Drew and Liam is open again. After Drew and Liam make amends, they compliment Jordan on his idea to invite Liam over. Jordan realizes that he is growing up after all and experiences a newfound sense of confidence in himself and his dream to be an artist. A half-splash page features Jordan with his arms outstretched and a wide-toothed grin as he announces, “I’m not immature… I’M A CARTOONIST!!!” (246). He resolves to Stay True to Himself. As the novel concludes, Drew takes Liam to see his apartment. They stand on the balcony as Drew laments how people like Andy may never see things from his perspective. Although the world’s conflicts and racial tensions are far from resolved, Drew’s bonds with Jordan and Liam act as a form of Unity as a Defense Against Prejudice.

Jerry Craft chose to communicate his story of prejudice and friendship in the form of a graphic novel. Graphic novels are an increasingly common and popular form of literature for middle-grade readers, and Craft’s goal was to reach a younger audience by creating something accessible to all readers. He not only wanted to lend a hand of support and empathy to those in positions like Drew or Jordan, but also to help children from all walks of life understand what it is like to live as a child of color in America. His illustrations serve as a visual aid to illuminate the emotional effects of the characters’ experiences, as well as to showcase the arrogance that often accompanies covert and overt racism. Mr. Roche is often shown with a smug grin, and Andy is usually shown with a scowl. The illustrations also add a layer of humor to the story, with moments like the boys being drawn child-like and small when they play video games together and a heart-eyed Liam being surrounded by macaroni and cheese. They also demonstrate the characters’ differences in appearance, helping to support the novel’s theme of How Racism Shapes the Daily Lives of Black Children in America.

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