Summary

Laymon beings a recollection of when he and his friend David were sent to their Catholic school’s principal’s office because David farted in his hand and spread the smell during Mass. Right before they got to the office, David told the teacher that he was responsible and that Laymon should not be punished. When asked about this, David stated that his coach told him that people should be responsible for their team. When Laymon returned home, his mother beat him with a belt and stated that “white folks don’t care if you die” (27), and Laymon acknowledged that she meant “the worst of white folks” (27). He pondered on this term and came to the conclusion that this group of people want to keep African Americans down to the point as to where they are working for the tiniest...