Anger Is a Gift

By the day of the walk out, Moss’s hope has vanished and he is convinced things will go wrong. This fear is confirmed when he and Njemile arrive at school and see police officers in faceless, militarized uniforms, their skin entirely covered and numerous weapons and unknown items hanging from utility belts. Moss feels his anxiety growing rapidly at the sight of their guns.

The officers are frisking students on their way in, and Njemile and Moss realize that they know about the protest and are there to intimidate them. When they enter, Moss is frisked roughly and told to remove his shoes. He refuses, and the officer grabs him by the shirt front as he struggles to breathe, his panic rising. Mr. Jacobs intervenes and tells the officer that he cannot assault the students and may only ask them to remove their shoes if he has a reasonable suspicion that there is something in them.

Moss declines an offer to go to the nurse but is now extremely anxious about the demonstration. However, he is determined not to be intimidated and several students reassure him that they will also be walking out at 2 p.m. Moss and the others realize that none of their cell phones are working properly; if they turn on at all they are unable to open apps.