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A review by rbharath
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I cannot remember reading any long story in verse, and I was not sure how the experience would be. This is an extremely poignant and powerful story. Being written in verse, adds to its beauty. Yusef Salaam is one of the exonerated five (accused in the Central Park rape case). I am well aware of the tragedy from both sides of the case – the assault and rape of Trisha Meili (I read her book “I am the Central Park Jogger”) and the five who were accused, convicted and later exonerated (I saw the excellent & moving Netflix series “When They See Us”). This book clearly borrows from Yusef Salaam’s experience in court and prison, though it is a different story.
Amal, an African American Muslim youngster is in court, accused of assaulting Jeremy Mathis, a white kid. The case is one of attempted murder with a deadly weapon (a skateboard). There was an altercation among a bunch of kids. Of the 5 who were accused, 4 took a plea deal. His mother Umi is worried, as many small incidents which should be considered typical at his age are being used to paint a picture of Amal as a troublemaker given to episodes of uncontrollable rage.
"The people who know me
really know me
are not the ones
the judge and jury want to hear from"
“All because
we were in the wrong place
we were in the wrong skins
we were in the wrong time
we were in the wrong bodies
we were in the wrong country
we were in the wrong
were in the wrong
in the wrong
the wrong
wrong
All because
they were in the right place
they were in the right skins
they were in the right time
they were in the right bodies
they were”
Amal is found guilty of aggravated assault and battery. His relatives are stunned and disappointed. A large part of the story is his experience in jail – the harsh prison conditions which are de-humanizing, with the added challenge of coping with gangs & abuse. He prefers to be alone and turns his attention to painting for solace.
“I
have a
crayon and paper
I didn't know that
I could hold this little
bit of freedom in my hands”
This is a powerful story of inherent prejudice permeating society & law enforcement. Amal’s character is moving, and though she has far lesser space – his mother Umi as well. Their helplessness as they knock all possible avenues to seek justice hits you. With pressure to nab culprits and fix accountability, it is easy to presume some to be the guilty lot. Despite the stated checks & balances in the justice system, for some getting fairness & justice is an uphill (often losing) battle. Verse is an extremely powerful format for this story. I would have liked the book to go further with the story, and yet the way it ends also sends a strong message.
A book I strongly recommend.
Amal, an African American Muslim youngster is in court, accused of assaulting Jeremy Mathis, a white kid. The case is one of attempted murder with a deadly weapon (a skateboard). There was an altercation among a bunch of kids. Of the 5 who were accused, 4 took a plea deal. His mother Umi is worried, as many small incidents which should be considered typical at his age are being used to paint a picture of Amal as a troublemaker given to episodes of uncontrollable rage.
"The people who know me
really know me
are not the ones
the judge and jury want to hear from"
“All because
we were in the wrong place
we were in the wrong skins
we were in the wrong time
we were in the wrong bodies
we were in the wrong country
we were in the wrong
were in the wrong
in the wrong
the wrong
wrong
All because
they were in the right place
they were in the right skins
they were in the right time
they were in the right bodies
they were”
Amal is found guilty of aggravated assault and battery. His relatives are stunned and disappointed. A large part of the story is his experience in jail – the harsh prison conditions which are de-humanizing, with the added challenge of coping with gangs & abuse. He prefers to be alone and turns his attention to painting for solace.
“I
have a
crayon and paper
I didn't know that
I could hold this little
bit of freedom in my hands”
This is a powerful story of inherent prejudice permeating society & law enforcement. Amal’s character is moving, and though she has far lesser space – his mother Umi as well. Their helplessness as they knock all possible avenues to seek justice hits you. With pressure to nab culprits and fix accountability, it is easy to presume some to be the guilty lot. Despite the stated checks & balances in the justice system, for some getting fairness & justice is an uphill (often losing) battle. Verse is an extremely powerful format for this story. I would have liked the book to go further with the story, and yet the way it ends also sends a strong message.
A book I strongly recommend.