All American Boys: 11. Wednesday: Quinn Summary & Analysis

On Wednesday, Quinn still feels like he is in a “daze.” While taking Willy to school, he bumps into Paul Galluzzo, who looks exhausted. Quinn is alarmed by his instinctive feelings of sympathy for Paul. Paul asks why Quinn hasn’t taken up his offer to practice footwork, and when Quinn responds that he’s been busy, Paul says: “Don’t bullshit me.” Paul explains that he’s heard about what’s been happening at school, before launching into a defense of his actions. Quinn pretends to sympathize, but is unconvincing, and when they part ways Paul is clearly furious.

Outside school, students––including Jill and Tiffany—are handing out flyers advertising the protest on Friday. Someone asks if Rashad will be there, but nobody knows the answer. In English class, Ms. Tracey distributes copies of the first chapter of Ralph Ellison’s novel Invisible Man, entitled “Battle Royale.” Quinn is horrified by the story, which depicts old white men making young black men fight each other for entertainment. He tries to tell himself that white people were crazy “back then,” but realizes with dread that the present might not actually be so different after all.

Ms. Tracey usually sits on top of her desk, but today she is sitting behind it. Suddenly, she starts to cry. She says that her head of department has advised her not to assign “Battle Royale.” Quinn writes a note to Tooms, suggesting that Rashad is the “invisible man” at Springfield High, and saying they should do something. Tooms mouths a request for backup before standing up and reading the story aloud, dedicating it to Rashad. Tooms, who would never normally volunteer to do such a thing, finishes reading, and Quinn takes over. Once Quinn is done, others follow suit. Some of the students avoid saying the racial slurs in the text, but Quinn still feels their presence, and realizes he needs to take a more active role in stopping racial violence.

At practice, Quinn is able to focus on basketball for the first time since Rashad’s arrest, and he does well. He and English get into an impressive rhythm together, and Quinn wishes the scouts were already there, watching. However, just before practice ends a fight breaks out between Guzzo and Tooms. Guzzo claims that “everyone has it in for me.” Coach makes the team promise to work together and think of the scouts, but Quinn is suddenly suspicious of his demand to leave the outside world at the door. Instead, he thinks that the focus should be on how the team works together in the outside world.

After practice, Guzzo once again defends Paul to Quinn, saying he was “just doing his job.” He asks Quinn what he would say if he was called as a witness, and when Quinn doesn’t reply, Guzzo pushes him away, saying “Fuck you.” Guzzo says that claims of racism are getting out of control, but Quinn reminds him that he and Paul are not the real victims. Coach brings the team together again and makes them promise not to attend the protest: “No parties, and no protests.” The team agrees, some very reluctantly. Quinn feels suspicious of the pressure to act together as a team.