All American Boys Essay Questions

What is the significance of #RashadIsAbsentAgainToday?

This message spray-painted outside Springfield Central High School triggers a wave of discussions among the student body. The message forces everyone entering the school to contend with what happened to Rashad. As the days pass, it is repeated throughout the city and turned into a social media hashtag that mirrors the real-life Black Lives Matter movement. Classmates and friends of Rashad express their disappointment and outrage over his wrongful arrest and the violence inflicted upon him. The hashtag serves as a rallying cry and a banner uniting the students in voicing their indignation over the injustice visited on Rashad and, by extension, every other Black youth who is wrongfully arrested. The hashtag also becomes emblematic of the inherent power residing in the youth and their immense ability to effect change in society.

Why did the author title the novel "All American Boys?”

The title is a reference to the two main characters in the novel who are supposed to embody the ideals of the typical, modern-day American youth—the titular All-American Boys. It also forces the reader to ask: who gets to be considered an All-American boy in American society? Both protagonists are young, relatively upstanding members of their community. Neither are troublemakers and both have clean records. But the unfortunate event that sets the conflict in motion also serves to highlight two things: the systemic racism that has motivated the wrongful arrest of Rashad—something that happens with frightening regularity in Black communities all over the US; and the initial passivity of Quinn—another response that is commonplace in white communities all over the US.

Describe the transformation Quinn goes through over the course of the novel.

At the beginning of the novel, Quinn is wrapped up in his own world: basketball, responsibilities at home, hanging out with his friends, and planning for the future. However, witnessing Paul, whom he loves and respects deeply, display such cruelty in his treatment of Rashad shakes all of that. Quinn first reacts with denial. He is made uncomfortable by what he sees, and wants his world to stay as it is. Quinn tries to ignore the deeper questions that Paul’s actions bring up and his own role in it. Yet, as his community debates the event, Quinn finds himself forced to contend with what he saw. Like many white characters in the novel, Quinn does not have to grapple with race on a daily basis, and is initially uncomfortable thinking about what role racism played in both Paul and his community’s responses. As the days pass, Quinn comes to realize the responsibility that he and those in his community play in enforcing the status quo, and he begins to speak out. Taking a stand and coming out in solidarity with Rashad costs him; many of his white friends and family members feel he is betraying Paul. Ultimately, Quinn chooses to do what he believes is right, openly supporting Rashad and going to the protest.

How does the novel explore the topic of racism in American society?

The novel centers around an act of racial profiling and violence, and continues on to explore the topic of racism from many perspectives. All American Boys delves into modern-day discrimination which has morphed into something different from the blatant racism of the past. The policing of Black lives and police brutality are modern manifestations of systemic racism that target communities of color. Black characters must find ways to cope with the pain and rage of living in a society that sees them as inferior. White characters frequently respond to the direct mention of racism with discomfort, denial, or defensiveness. The authors demonstrate how their silence is a form of racism itself. How characters resolve their response to Rashad’s attack is at the heart of the novel: do they stand up and demand change, or do they look away and allow systemic oppression to continue?

What generational differences are present in All American Boys?

All American Boys explores generational differences between characters. Rashad’s father represents an older generation that promotes respectability politics as a way of navigating being Black in the US. He believes that if his sons get the right job, dress “right,” and always respect authority, then they will be safe. However, Spoony and, to a lesser extent Rashad, disagree. Instead of changing themselves, they want to fight to change society. Other adults in the novel also display a more cautious nature. Teachers want to avoid talking about race or Rashad’s attack for fear of controversy. Yet, their students repeatedly push the school to acknowledge what happened; they bring up Rashad in class and leave a graffitied message at the front of the school. Mrs. Fitzgerald is an exception to adult cautiousness. When she was younger, she let fear stop her from participating in the civil rights movement. Now, Mrs. Fitzgerland advises Rashad to seize the moment and let his voice be heard. The protest at the end of the novel shows the power of generations coming together, and the importance of young people demanding change.