How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Back home the World seemed to be splitting up between people who wanted to make love and people who wanted to tear the cities down. A lot of it was blacks against whites, and we didn't talk about that too much, but we felt it. Over the summer a kid in Harlem had been killed by a white police officer and there had been some riots. I told Mama in a letter to tell Kenny to be careful. Sometimes he had a fresh mouth, and I didn't want him hurt. (13.14-15)
As if Perry doesn't have enough to worry about in Vietnam, he also has to worry about his family getting caught in the crossfire of a race riot back at home. Yikes. Race riots were usually sparked by some incident of prejudice, and sometimes included violence that could be random and cruel. Definitely a good day to stay indoors.
Quote #5
"You know, I never thought much about black people before I got into the army. I don't think I was prejudiced or anything—I just didn't think much about black people."
"Well, we're here," I said. (14.67-68)
Wow. Gearhart's really not holding back. At least what he's saying is coming from a place of remorse. He feels truly guilty for accidentally setting off the flare that gave away their position and caused the death of Turner, a black man. Not the greatest cause for thinking through your values, but at least he's getting there.
Quote #6
"Johnson asked him to his damn face," Peewee said. "He asked him how come he put a brother on point and another brother in the damn rear with the sixty?"
I looked at Monaco, he looked back at me.
"What did he say?"
"Dongan—that's his name—" Peewee said, "he said he do what he think he should do and it ain't for Johnson to tell him what to do." (17.38-41)
Dongan puts the black men in the most vulnerable positions in their formation. In other words, if the group is fired at, Johnson and Peewee are the most likely to die. Thanks a lot, Dongan.