All American Boys

On Thursday, Quinn thinks about the Paul who supported him years ago, and he wonders, “What had happened to that guy? Who had he become?” (251). Quinn reflects that one day he’ll be looking back at this moment too, and he doesn’t want to remember himself as someone who runs away from difficult situations. Back at home, he writes on the front of a T-shirt “I’M MARCHING,” and on the back, “ARE YOU?,” and wears it to school (252).

Most students respond favorably to Quinn’s shirt, but Guzzo avoids Quinn until basketball practice, and even during practice he won’t look at Quinn. English calls out “Rashad” as he makes a play, and Quinn realizes it’s impossible to separate basketball from other aspects of their lives, “just like [they] couldn’t separate history from the present, just like [they] couldn’t have racism in America without racists” (256).

As they continue playing, Guzzo hits Quinn with an elbow, with Guzzo insisting it was an accident, although no one believes him. After practice, Coach gestures to Quinn’s shirt and warns him that “this bullshit […] has to stop” (259) and that he’s going to call Quinn’s mother. Quinn walks outside and is blindsided by Guzzo, who charges at him, punching Quinn twice and throwing him to the ground.