Race

Saeed's identity as an African American man contributes to his feelings of fear and a lack of safety both in his personal relationships and in relation to American society as a whole. His awareness of racism and racial hate crimes in the United States is piqued at an early age when he hears the story of James Byrd Jr. Byrd accepted a ride home from three white men who beat him, chained him to the back of their truck, and dragged him for more than a mile. Byrd’s murder occurred only four hours from where Saeed was growing up, and his event was significant to his realization that “being black can get you killed” (44). Saeed’s race makes him feel vulnerable in a society that is rife with both personal and systemic racism. The inherent fear that Saeed feels as a child is demonstrated by his youthful...