We Deserve Monuments

Avery, Simone, and Jade picnic at a local overlook called “The Perfect Spot” (83). Avery confides her struggles to get to know prickly Letty. Simone and Jade offer Avery marijuana, which she has never tried before. Avery smokes and finds she likes the feeling of intoxication.

Avery explains how her breakup with Kelsi was precipitated by a growing irritation with one another but was ultimately caused by white Kelsi imitating a Black rapper during a trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The argument escalated when Kelsi scoffed at Howard University (an HBCU, or Historically Black College and University) and claimed that Avery’s chances at a Georgetown acceptance are due to “[pulling] the affirmative-action card” (89). Avery cites Hikari as “the peacemaker” who “didn’t care why [Avery] was upset” but just “wanted [them] to keep it down because [they] were embarrassing her” (90).

Jade and Simone comfort her, calling Kelsi and Hikari “the worst friends ever” (90). Avery feels unburdened by reporting how Kelsi made her feel “small” when she treated her feelings as unimportant and said Avery was “barely Black” and that she “needed to lighten up” (91). Jade and Simone take Avery to see “Tree,” a designated tree they visit when they “need clarity” on important issues.