WHY: In Monster, our protagonist is a black male that is, with the other men he is arrested with, labeled a “monster” by the prosecution. We may caption each pair of cases with a comparison of the language used, but have not determined if that would dissipate the intended effect. We would theoretically post each compared transcript, side by side, on a website with minimal design (possibly just a solid colored background). The aim is to evaluate the language that is used by the prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges and to make note of any similarities and potential differences in the language used to address and describe the white kids on trial and the black/latino kids on trial.

WHAT: The current intention is to first collect a number of court room transcripts from hearings where black and/or latino kids (may not limit to juveniles) are being charged, then collect transcripts of hearings where white kids are being charged with similar crimes. Furthermore, Bolden admits that his reason for testifying that he had been sold the cigarettes is merely for his own benefit, potential “slack” on an assault charge. The use of Malcolm X’s name in this moment forces rotten perception towards black people. What should also be noted is that Myers decided to go with Malcolm X Boulevard, a neighborhood named after one of the most historically powerful people in the African American community. The next thing to tie the lower class with the negative notions is the mention of the low income neighborhood, Malcolm X Boulevard, immediately after mentioning the robbery. Bolden also states that he is aware of the more serious crime, the murder. 48 The first thing to correspond with the cigarettes in these two sentences is the illegal activity, the robbery. I knew a dude got killed, and I was thinking of trading what I knew for some slack.” p. “Bolden: I got some cigarettes from a guy who told me he was in on a drugstore robbery up on Malcolm X Boulevard. When Wendell Bolden is being questioned by the prosecutor, Petrocelli, Myers uses one of the statements Bolden makes to create a connection between illegal activity, lower-class neighborhoods and hidden motives corresponding with the lower class and cigarettes. The tension socially between those who either abide by the law or enforce the law, and those who commit crimes and are considered to disrupt society are present throughout the entire text.

Tony monster walter dean myers