I think this book truly has revealed the stereotypes long ingrained into society about these boys' lives and how these boys are tired. Tired of not ever being given a chance to prove themselves, tired of not being good enough for their own community, and just tired of constantly having to worry about facing the criminal justice system. I think everything they have to go through makes it tough to move forward with a healthy or positive mindset about what their lives "could" look like. #so345

It is interesting to think about expectation and reality when it comes how people perceive what is and isn't criminal behavior. It seems that there is this conflicting persona with non-delinquents because the criminal roles they are "expected" to have conflict with how they truly want to be deep down. But the societal barrier of being loyal and also trying to stay out of trouble is what makes this a harsh reality. #so345

The idea of a masculine identity is truly revealing of how society pushes certain norms so much, that when it comes to these marginalized groups it can turn on them so easily. These boys are pushed into "manly" roles or responsibilities to try and fit in and conform, but when faced with the justice system it turns that identity into something negative and puts them in the wrong. This creates an infinite whirlpool of oppression that they can't seem to escape. #so345

To fit in with society, and to truly find a place of belonging, these boys had to use the only resources around them that they had to try and achieve the "cookie-cutter" look that society wanted them to have, but even still when they tried to do so they still were rejected. #so345

It is so appalling to hear Ronny's interview story. He was prepared and dressed just as well as the other male who got interviewed after he was done, but the only difference was the attention the manager gave. Ronny wasn't getting any fair treatment specifically because he was being stereotyped by the manager who judged his qualities externally and took nothing else about his characteristics and preparation into consideration. #so345

I think it is important to look at how police labeling brings magnification to violence in these marginalized communities. Power is in the hands of the police and they hold the "authority," so when these individuals are labeled unjustly, it carries into other aspects of their lives which are sometimes unshakeable or hard ever to get rid of. #so345

I think that it is important when looking at labeling to realize how much of a pre-conception it truly does put on a group of people. Especially when most of the time labeling is inaccurate and doesn't truly correspond with individual's lives and how they see themselves. #so345

In the beginning of this book, it is so interesting to think about how there is such an extreme difference between how urban communities are treated compared to other communities in society and how the poor seem to be preyed on by police when most are just trying to find the means to survive. #so345

It is honestly crazy to think about how America has always and continues to have a history of standing up for money and power or making excuses for "criminal" activity because corrupt people are benefiting from it. When the teachers in this were seen as horrible cheaters, the Wall Street individuals kept their high-status jobs. #so345

It is interesting to think about how much control and exploitation goes on for money in power. No matter how much we think things aren't connected or that people aren't gaining money off of things they shouldn't be, they most likely are. This film portrays the unfairness and corruption that goes on especially when looking at unfair incarceration. #so345