punching the air by ibi zoboi and yusef salaam

Yusef and 4 other teen boys were arrested and tried of this crime. 30-odd teens wreaked havoc, mugging pedestrians and cyclists, and in the most tragic incident, a woman who came to be known as ‘the Central Park Jogger’ was assaulted, raped and left for dead. In 1989, 15-year-old Yusef was involved in an activity called ‘wilin’ out’ in New York’s Central Park. It gives the reader a glimpse into the obstacles within the justice system and within our own societies, making us root for freedom while at the same time shake our heads in disbelief that injustice could be so rife.

He faces his Umi during visits, and wonders whether his uncle is absent because of sadness, or because of shame. He finds ‘a little bit of freedom’ in the form of crayon and paper brought in by a woman who runs writing activities. In prison, he learns whom among his fellow inmates and guards he can trust, and whom to avoid. I enjoyed the use of white space and the varied cadence to the verses, which corresponded to Amal’s oscillating anguish and solace. The writing is raw and punchy, anger interspersed with reflection. Incarcerated at a young age, he often falls into despair, though sometimes he rises for a moment, tasting hope. Tragically, it seems that the jury has, too. But his talent and intelligence is always overshadowed by prejudice – at school, his teachers and peers have made up their minds about him. Is it a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or being the wrong colour, the wrong religion, and from the wrong socio-economic background?Īmal is an artist and a poet, and tries to be a good son to his mother whom he calls Umi. The boy he allegedly assaulted is in a coma and unable to testify as to what truly happened.

This powerful and emotional verse novel inspired by the experience of co-writer Yusef Salaam of the ‘Exonerated 5.’ 16-year-old Amal Shahid is facing charges of assault, a crime he is not guilty of.

Punching the air by ibi zoboi and yusef salaam