Chapter+10

Chapter 10 The next day after I talked to the teacher I tried to hang out with Martin during recess. Again he started with his comments. Then I asked him about his father and he began to cry. I could tell he wanted to tell me about the story. I was seeing a new side of him at this moment. Martin said that it was important for someone like me to know what happened in New York City and to never forget those horrible things. What did he mean someone like me? I thought I was just like him. I know he doesn’t have his father anymore but why would he say we were different. Maybe he thinks because he’s black that were not the same but I don’t think black people are different from me. I told him we both look the same and dress the same and we are even in the same type of classes. He replied that because I didn’t know about what happened in New York and about all of the people that died that I can’t be like him. He said that because I’m not from New York I don’t know what it’s like. Since I don’t know that, I can’t know what it feels like to be him. Just because I wasn’t here when it happened doesn’t mean I don’t understand why people are sad and angry. I asked him if he thought we were different because I’m white and he’s black. He told me that was part of why we were different and I asked him why. He said ever since 9/11 his life has gotten worse. All of the white kids are happy and carrying on with their lives except him. He said the bank took their house, his mom has to work all of the time, he had to move in with his aunts, uncle and cousin and life just isn’t fun anymore. He thinks that for everyone else life is good, except him because he is black and doesn’t have money. I had no experience in a situation like this, but something told me I had to help him. I needed to show him other people that didn’t have a lot, anything to help him realize it isn’t as bad as he thinks. I told him to meet me after school tomorrow and we were going somewhere. I talked to my guidance counselor and wanted to bring Martin to a **community center** some widows and children of 9/11 had started. She gave me the directions and the next day we would go there together.