Summary

"Bend"

The author writes that “two miles from all those promises and three minutes from our last cliché, I will understand that no meaningful promises are made or kept in casinos” (233). He then writes, in future tense sentences that start with “I will …” about his political and public activism in support of black youth; about telling one more lie to Flora, who will not forgive him; about refusing to enable his mother’s addiction; and about continuing to fall into his own. He will: watch the destructive actions of both whites and blacks towards black bodies; watch as whites try to excuse their behavior; and will not buy a gun because he knows he will use it.

The author will: watch his friends raise families; live alone; and “want to punish my black body because fetishizing and punishing black bodies are what we...