Punching the Air

In “America,” Amal reaches the juvenile detention center. As he gets off the bus, he leans on one of the officers to help him step off. The officer pulls his hand back and Amal falls to the ground onto his face. Stanford, the officer, calls Amal “little n****,” prompting Amal to remember Umi telling him never to use that word (101). In the center, Amal strips down and has to wear an orange jumpsuit. The center reminds him of school, and he sees a fading mural of cartoons that makes him feel like the prison is trying to remind them that they are kids and not prisoners. Amal is taken to his cell, where he feels the following:

there’s no music

the silence and the closing of metal doors

[…] An alarm telling us that the game is over

again and again over and over (112).

In the morning, Amal sees his cell has a small desk and stool that are attached to the walls. In “Sunrise,” Amal is given toiletries and is told by the officer that he will meet with his social worker. The officer reminds Amal of Zenobia, his crush from school.