What are Helpful People?

Tina has a children's book that is her favorite. It is called Helpful Friends. In its covers are pictures of lawyers, doctors, firefighters, and policemen. On page three it says: Policemen solve problems and help keep you safe. And page four says: Policemen are always on your side.

After T is shot and she comes back from the funeral, she crumples up page four. Symbolically, at the age of 7 she has decided that the book lied. That policemen are not there to keep her or her community safe, and that they certainly aren't there to help her.