Martel Montgomery Character Analysis

Martel Montgomery is the leader of the Black Jihad, a gang from Justyce’s mother’s neighborhood. Justyce has heard about Martel for years but has always made sure to avoid him, knowing that he runs a violent posse. After Manny’s death, though, Justyce decides to pay Martel a visit, following Quan’s advice that he needs to find a group of friends to support and protect him from racists. When he encounters Martel, he’s surprised to find that he’s quite intelligent and soothing, speaking at length about the rights of black people. Justyce is impressed by the many African art on Martel’s walls, and he finds comfort in listening to him speak. However, he eventually sees a sawed-off shotgun in Martel’s living room and remembers that the Black Jihad are a violent gang, so he decides not to associate with them after all.