The Rock and The River

At Stick’s funeral, Sam wears Stick’s leather jacket. He is sure Father is disappointed in him. Sam sees Raheem, who tells him he has the information about the police officer who shot Stick. Leroy asks Sam if he’s sure he wants to join in Raheem’s plan, and Sam confirms. When Bucky refuses to join them, Sam is angry but remains committed to the plan. Reverend Downe and Leroy both speak at Stick’s funeral, but Sam is unable to pay attention to their words. Later, Raheem pretends to hug Sam while he puts a gun in his waistband. Sam looks at Stick’s coffin but does not want to accept that Stick is being buried. Instead, he wants to “put everything right” (269). Sam finds Raheem and says he is ready to go.

Raheem and Sam drive away from the funeral. When Sam realizes that his anger has been motivating him, he changes his mind and tells Raheem to stop the car. He realizes that they stop by the clinic that Stick was so proud of the Panthers for opening. Raheem tells Stick they should get justice for Stick, but Stick believes justice for Stick means making sure all the plans he was so excited about come to be.