Black Brother, Black Brother

Donte Ellison is Black Brother, Black Brother’s main narrator. He is currently in high school at Middlefield Prep, a private school outside of Boston Massachusetts. Donte and Trey are both biracial; their mother is Black, and their father is white. However, Trey is light-skinned and is usually able to pass for white while Donte is dark-skinned. As a result, Donte experiences much racism, both explicit and implicit, especially in attending a primarily white school.

We immediately see the impact of racism and colorism on Donte. The novel opens with Donte being falsely accused of causing a disturbance in class and subsequent suspension and arrest. As we learn throughout the novel, Black students are punished more often and more harshly than their white peers. The incident at Middlefield Prep makes Donte more aware of this, especially when his mother asks his permission to file a civil action on behalf of him and other students who are disproportionately punished. Though the novel does not focus much on the case, the case highlights the need for justice for students (and adults) of color.

Because of the racism and colorism that Donte experiences, he initially wants to be invisible. As Donte gains more confidence through fencing, he wants to be seen.