Importance of The Honda Civic

Justyce accepts the Honda Civic in a subconsciously symbolic gesture that shows he will not make his friends or enemies based on race. Following Manny’s death, Justyce finds it difficult to make connections with white people because of the memory of Tison’s racially-motivated violence; Justyce even shies away from SJ’s sympathy and affection because of the color of her skin. When a classmate’s father offers Justyce a dealership car as a condolence gift, Justyce wants to reject it: “the idea of driving around in a free car from some rich white dude made him sick to his stomach considering what had happened” (132). In the end, however, he reads the card the man sent him expressing his regret and grief over the shooting, and Justyce decides to keep the car. By accepting the gift, he also accepts the truth that white people can genuinely mourn with him and wish him well. Though he is not yet ready to acknowledge this turning point, the acceptance of the car pivots Justyce toward his balanced position at the end of the novel, when he can accept all the support and love he is offered, no matter its source.