Race and Racism Within Monster

Monster is an incredibly suspenseful book written in an entirely unique manner that creates tension and suspense that is not as easily found in literature as the more popular forms of media. Monster illuminates an important question for readers, young adults and society at large to answer: why are race and justice in the United States so closely connected? This question is extremely important. The fact that Steve Harmon is a black male is not a fact that can be overlooked or ignored. There are currently more black men in prison than are in college. There are statistics that prove that black men have harsher sentences than white men convicted of the same crime. Steve's account of crime, violence and being viewed as a monster are necessary to examine as they are reflective of the inner-city experience and minority discrimination that many in this country continue to experience.

I was fully aware that racism still exists before reading this book. What this book did illuminate to me is that racism is often not blatant or forthcoming. Racism is often hidden in the backs of people's minds. No one used a racial slur towards Steve in the book. What people did do was look at him with doubt to his innocence. Steve's own lawyer, O'Brien, pulled away from him and did not look at him directly when he was found not guilty. Steve mentioned several times that he believed O'Brien doubted his innocence and saw him like a monster just as much as Petrocelli, council for the state. It is impossible to know that O'Brien had doubts stemming from racism, but the case can be made. She understood the power of racism and told him that in some cases the jury already viewed him as guilty being a young black male. Her awareness of this racism might shed light on her own presence of doubt and coldness at the end of the trial.

I believe that the vast majority of people in the United States fall into at least one, if not more, categories of minority. Of course, racial minorities are far easier to spot, thereby making them easier targets for prejudice and racism. Race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, economics, political beliefs and social standing are all categories in which people may fall into a minority. As a white male, I have not experienced much racism in my life. I have experienced prejudice and distasteful comments and attitudes towards me for who I am with regards to my personal life. In that sense I related to Steve as being seen as something prejudged and decided upon not knowing any details to your character. Steve was seen as a monster regardless of any knowledge of who he really was. I do not have to disclose issues of my personal life to everyone that sees me, while a black man has no choice in disclosing his race.

The single most important word on the first page of Monster is "mirror." Steve talks about how he doesn't recognize himself. Being accused, on trial and having his character and morality in question, Steve began to question himself and his innocence. Although Steve told the truth on the stand and knew deep down in himself that he was not an accomplice and didn't believe he did anything wrong, he was constantly reminded how things had changed. The way people saw him had changed. His father couldn't understand why his son was involved at all. At the end of the book Steve's father cannot get a negative image of his son out of his mind. Steve's own defense council has trouble viewing him the way he sees himself. Having distorted opinions and views of Steve by those closest to him during the trial begins to distort Steve's view and opinion of himself. He begins to question are you what you know yourself to be, or are you really what those around you see you as? Steve's mirror image changes through the course of the book.

The most powerful scene in my opinion was the reading of the verdict. I made it a point not to skip to the end although I wanted to several times while reading. I was so curious as to whether or no Steve would be convicted, the dark tone of the book throughout, led me to suspect that he might be convicted. After all the powerful testimony and firsthand account of jail by Steve, concluding with the reading of the verdict was the ultimate cliffhanger. Walter Dean Myers wrote it perfectly, placing the usual courtroom formalities on pages 272 and 273. To add suspense before turning the page, a courtroom drawing is placed on the bottom of page 273. Myers uses his technique described as "Star Wars" font to add drama and suspense. Finally I found it most interesting that dialogue was not used to conclude that King was convicted, and finally that Steve was found not guilty. The author simply describes the view of the court room and the defendants. By seeing their reactions, you are told the outcome of the trial, not with the words of the jurors. I believe this technique of describing rather than using dialogue of a juror we have no connection to from the novel, is powerful and a unique and interesting way to end a book that takes place mostly in a courtroom.

"I think they are bringing out all of these people and letting them look terrible on the stand and sound terrible and then reminding the jury that they don't look any different from me and King." (p.60.) I found this passage especially important because it places special importance on appearance. We know Steve is innocent and a good kid by taking the journey with him. We also understand how people view him. Although you are supposed to remain innocent until proven guilty in the United States justice system, there is an interesting phenomena when people are accused of a crime, they are often connected to that crime in viewer's minds and always associated with the crime. Regardless of what Steve did, he was seen as a monster, just like Bobo, Osvaldo and King. They were all convicted in minds by the association of the crime, the association amongst each other, their associations with poverty, a "bad" neighborhood and racially. Even though Steve was acquitted of the crime, those around him continued to have doubts about his innocence.

This book provides significant commentary on race and class, specifically referring to inner-city areas that are often neglected by the government, including the justice system. Steve associated with people of questionable character because those were the members of his neighborhood. Social programs are few and far between to provide assistance to members of communities that struggle economically. Steve, a good citizen, who has shining talents with film making is accused and jailed then put on trial for being in the wrong place, Harlem, at the wrong time and for being young, poor and black. The evidence against him was purely circumstantial and based on testimony given by admitted criminals. His life was turned upside down because he was not viewed as worthy by the justice system to investigate further and find him innocent before accusing him. This important social commentary is necessary for young adults because it does represent reality. Many young people are members of inner-city communities that struggle with crime and poverty, those who are not should be exposed to this alternate reality. Too often are the disenfranchised ignored in this country.

This book was really shocking because it tackled drugs, violence, crime, discrimination, murder, race and suicide in an unapologetic and honest way. More books should tackle subjects deemed to be taboo. More books should cover topics that society keeps in the dark. These topics are real and affecting people across the country everyday but are ignored. Only by writing and thereby discussing these topics in the open will we be able to solve the problems associated with them.

Hands down, the style of this book stuck out and was especially interesting. The book goes from literally being written as a screenplay including dialogue, camera positions and movement directions to letters written by Steve of his own experience and inner-feelings of prison and the trial, his fears. The screenplay style of the book is engaging and lets the reader imagine this movie playing out in their imaginations.

Steve's association with King, Osvaldo and even Bobo all directly led to his apprehension and involvement in the trial. The state provided no concrete evidence that Steve was present for the robbery or murder, only by the testimony of Bobo and Osvaldo. Had Steve kept better company and acquaintances, he would not have been involved in the case at all. Steve was aware of his acquaintance's questionable backgrounds and that they were discussing a robbery. Although Steve did not anticipate being tied to their crime, I believe in the future he will keep better company and be more careful about who he associates with.

Some adult readers will take offense and find the open and honest discussion of drugs, crime, murder and prison violence objectionable. I would respond that regardless of this book being taught or read, these terrible activities do take place in many communities. Not talking, reading or discussing them does not make them go away. The key is to provide open discussion with young adults, they will decide they do not want to live in a world of corruption and violence, it is their world and will strive to make it a better place knowing about the negative aspects in it.

This book reminded me of the O.J. Simpson trial, mostly because the questions of race and its influence on justice were also present in Monster. This book also made me think of the film "Light it Up," in which a group of inner-city minority kids take a hostage in their highschool. Both in "Light it Up" and Monster a key question is raised: does crime create a slum neighborhood, or does a slum neighborhood create crime?

I have hopes that despite the hard discussions in this book that it might be one allowed to teach in some high schools. I found this book to be the most honest and real picture of life that I've read this semester. Race and more broadly socio-economic status are topics normally avoided in the classroom and even at the dinner table. These topics have been ignored too long and have festered into a dark culture in parts of the country that are considered "out of sight, out of mind." The race to the suburbs has left the unwanted and forgotten by societal programs and money to populate the cities. Every citizen deserves justice, opportunity and pursuit in happiness. The awards this book proudly displays on its cover are reason to teach this book.