The threat of police violence is a constant throughout the novel. How does that impact Black and white characters differently?

The threat of police violence is a constant throughout the novel. How does that impact Black and white characters differently?

The Black characters experience fear and the white characters have a degree of privilege.

While the author provides a glimpse of racial travesties along with familial and class clashes, there is nothing new or nuanced adding to what we know historically and in this time of heightened awareness.

This question should be unnecessary for readers. Black parents still have talks with their sons about how to behave if stopped for a traffic ticket. And I would hope that even the most racist person is horrified by the video of "I can't breathe" video clips.

It a constant throughout the novel because it’s a constant in reality!
As a white privileged women I do not have to fear for my life if I get stopped for a ticket and reach for my license in my bag to give the officer, that is not a reality for any black person especially black males. prejudice thoughts are powerful influences on actions even if you are trying to be non racist Unfortunately there is too much prejudice and racism toward black peoples in the law enforcement community and while some of them embrace change the majority still seem to resist the acknowledging these facts. You would have to be living under a rock not to know this is a reality in our world. It’s an import theme in many stories because it’s still happening and we need to continue to push for change!

The author clearly infers the element of constant fear of the police in the black characters in the book, even in the conversations amongst themselves while the white characters did not have this fear because society thought of them as privileged even if they were not financially well-off. Also, The Kindest Lie captures the heartbreaking divide between Black and white communities and offers both an unflinching view of motherhood in contemporary America and the never-ending quest to achieve the American Dream.

Agree with Carriem
Makes a good point that privilege does not always involve wealth!
Also great point about motherhood.

I agree with sylviaann and rebeccar. At this point in history, the threat of police violence and its implications between races are obvious. That being said, I was absolutely terrified that Corey was going to be shot- -as a white person, reading about it in a book.

Correct me if I am wrong, class warfare was an instrument used to bring poor, southern whites on board with the actions and beliefs of the wealthy, white landowners. Even though Butch was in the same position as Eli, he believed himself to be better.

We have seen the acts of violence against Black people on TV far too much. All of us know that the white characters are far less likely to be threatened or killed than the Black characters--a reflection of real life. Sadly!

Unfortunately, I think there is a great disparity between the way white and black men are treated when it comes to the law. As we have seen in the news in recent years, things haven't improved very much with the way we perceive young black men in our culture. More guilty until proven innocent, and sometimes they are killed before they get the chance to make that proof.

Police violence is definitely more prevalent with blacks. In the story, there is a strong possibility that the situation at the lake would have been quite different for Midnight. I don't think he had a clue about the situation he would be putting his friend in.

Black children are taught how to act around authority - it is a life saving tactic. White children do not have to go thru that life threatening experience, usually. Caucasian people have the privilege of not being 'wrong' before an explanation. Black people start out wrong in the eye of many, long before an explanation is even asked for.

Just as in real life, the white characters suffer far less and have fewer fears from the police while the Black children are automatically suspected. Sadly true in real life too.