Prejudice
How It Went Down is a novel by Kekla Magoon and discusses multiple themes including racism, bias, and violence. In the story, a teenager is seen running from a store when the owner shouts, “Come back here”! Many witness, but Jack Franklin, a white bystander, shot the young black male. Tariq Johnson immediately fell to the pavement only to die moments after. Since Jack was White, this caught a lot of attention from the community and media. Everyone tries to make sense of what happened, but no two person’s stories match. Through Magoon’s unique writing style, the book manifests a solid view of everyone’s version of the incident. Everyone’s thoughts brought many themes branching from violence and hatred. However, a particular theme caught my attention most—prejudice. Prejudice controls many people’s actions and ethics.
. Kekla Magoon allows us to infer that Jack Franklin is white imminently by knowing his name. Jack Franklin allowed him emotions and attitude toward Tariq control him. He saw a young black male running down the street and assumed that Tariq was a threat. Jack would not have seen Tariq as a “threat” if Tariq was white. Rocky, the store owner, tried flagging down Tariq because Tariq had forgotten his change. Through preconceived notions, Jack was certain that Tariq was doing something illegal because he was black. Would have Franklin been in a different stay of mind if they were both Black? Would it still be prejudice? There would have been no racism or prejudice if both persons were black; it would have been seen as gang violence. In any case, the media would have most likely interpreted this action differently if they were the same race; no matter White or Black. This is important because it can change and alter our views as what we see as racist or as prejudice.
We continue to read and see the prejudice is not limited to an emotional level, but also a cognitive level. As previously stated, prejudice controlled many people; More importantly, Reverend Alabaster Sloan. Sloan is a selfish and egotistical person. Reverend Sloan is a man from Washington who tries to be a “Civil rights activist and senatorial candidate” (101). It seems like he flies to the inner-city for the community. It then becomes fairly eminent he only looks for personal advancement. He presents a caring facade but thinks differently. The reverend asked God for a problem to occur so he can get in the middle of it. He familiarized himself in hopes of winning a popular vote. His cognitive prejudice granted this allowance for personal advancement.
Reverend seems to be a man of color. This man, however, has been very privileged seeing he is a politician. He has professional experience and knowledge that the people in the urban community do not. Thinking black people are not smart, Reverend Sloan believed his true motives would go unnoticed due to their “lack of astuteness”. I feel he took advantage that he was a Black man with power. He used this advantage to connect with everyone. Vernesha and Redeema (Tariq’s mother and grandmother) easily accepted Reverend Sloan. Does he consciously believe the stereotype that people in the inner city aren’t as smart as he? He Does! He comforts Vernesha as she prepares to speak at the conference. He only does this so he can be seen on television. He wants to be recognized for his “community service”
He shows and tells others of his sympathy, but Reverend Sloan said, “…how I feel shouldn’t matter. All that matters is I say the right thing—what people need to hear” (73). He only wants to win the popularity contest so people will vote for him. Not only does he take advantage of Tariq’s family and community, but also the emotions of a 19-year-old girl—Kimberly.
Kimberly is a 19-year-old girl working in a beauty salon. She has low self-esteem and low confidence. The reverend knows this and tries to expose this innocent girl. He took the arrogance of an older male with enough power to easily seduce a younger woman; this violated a moral code (a code all politicians should follow). Reverend Sloan hires Kimberly as an intern. He likes the fact a young woman will do anything for his because of his social status. His arrogance let him feel better than a random girl from the inner-city. He did not feel remorse because she was “beneath” him. Reverend Sloan allows her to drink to express more of her vulnerability. This method of exposure allows him to do almost anything he wants with Kimberly. He is sexually attracted to her so this draws extra red flags. “Temptations keep me on my toes”, said Reverend Sloan (121). Kimberly naively thinks he is interested in her, but we all know he just wants sex. His intentions to sleep with Kimberly and intentions to “taste the tears behind every sound bite” (86).
We see it today in the media. The Kardashians do what they can to get publicity from Kim making a sex tape, to Khloe caring for Lamar Odom. They used vulnerable people just to get the family name on television and in the media. More recently politics has become a popularity contest. Politicians now visit all parts of the country to become known. Politicians help those in need. Is it really for those in need? I believe politicians take advantage of those less fortunate to help themselves. This issue has never been formally addressed. Unfortunately, these cognitive judgments toward people of a lower class are seen on a daily basis. We see it from this novel to our daily lives. This thought that we are better than others due to race or social status can affect us negatively as a country. Magoon has noticed the issues that trouble us today. This novel can be well appreciated as a first step to fixing the racial strife and the political injustice. How it Went Down can help our country do just thatthat—progress
as a nation so everyone can live without racial prejudice and negative misjudgment.
