Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying and racism.

On Monday morning, Lotus is surprised when Rebel meets her to walk to school. She initially ignores Rebel, pointing out that Rebel called her a “sellout,” but Rebel apologizes. She is extremely excited to tell Lotus that a handful of students at MacArthur are going to a board meeting. They have been protesting on social media about the treatment of Black students and their schools in Miami. Lotus agrees with her, thinking how bad the conditions at MacArthur are and how everyone deserves a good school.

Rebel then asks Lotus to come to the board meeting the next day to talk about how much better things are at Atlantis. However, Lotus is torn. She feels grateful to have the chance to go to Atlantis and does not want to openly protest against it. She thinks of how “protesting the existence of a school that literally answered [her] prayers doesn’t feel right” (43). Instead of telling Rebel this, she lies, saying that her mother is making her go to a computer class tomorrow.

Lotus is surprised when Rebel doesn’t react angrily. Instead, they return to “chitchatting” while they walk to school.