The church
For Cedric's mother, the church represents a place of consolation, belonging, and structure. It gives her life a sense of purpose, and she attends each week with Cedric. For her son, the church represents something entirely different. When younger, Cedric enjoyed going to church as he was a part of the choir and enjoyed expressing his enthusiasm for music. However, he is later told to stop being so bold, which puts him off the church. He believes that the church restricts individualism, and therefore starts to distance himself as he grows older.
MIT programme
After working incredibly hard at school, Cedric is accepted onto a program at MIT, alongside other talented students of color. There, he discovers the disadvantages of his poor education and the fact he is dramatically behind the other students. As such, this program represents an awakening for Cedric about the impact his economic background has had on his education and opportunities.
Television
Cedric comes from a very poor background, and his mother tries her best to make sure he doesn't feel the impact of this. Cedric recalls that as a child he used to enjoy watching television, and later his knowledge about television shows and popular culture become a way that he can connect and communicate with the students at college. As such, television represents an escape from his life and the restraints of his upbringing.
Professor Wheelock
Professor Wheelock is one of Cedric's teachers at college. Cedric relates to Wheelock as he has come from a similar economic background, but has made great achievements academically. As such, Wheelock represents Cedric's hopes in discovering his identity and navigating the academic world without feeling like an outsider. Wheelock understands the struggles that Cedric is facing, and encourages him to persist with his academic ambitions.
