Summary

The Friends is set in Harlem, New York during the 1960s. The novel begins with a description of Edith Jackson, a young girl who disobeys her teacher’s rules. Phyllisia Cathy, a student in the same classroom, observes Edith’s disrespect towards Miss Lass, a white teacher who is afraid of her black students. Phyllisia notices that Edith tries to be friendly, yet she considers herself better than Edith, due to her higher social standing. Phyllisia is from the West Indies, and she looks down on the native New Yorkers, especially the poor people. Phyllisia also believes that she is smarter, so she is always the first to answer Miss Lass’ questions. Because of this, many of the other students bully Phyllisia. After class one day, a larger student and her friends beat up Phyllisia.

When Phyllisia arrives home after being beaten, her mother, Ramona...