The Power of Gossip and Assumptions

Brooks demonstrates the power of gossip and assumptions as people choose to accuse either Trey, J.B., or Ramón of Moore’s murder based on their personal beliefs. People who do not even know these boys make assumptions about them based on their size and comments they made to Moore as well as their connections with criminals and gangs. Ironically, none of these boys are responsible for Moore’s murder.

People assume J.B. is responsible for Moore’s murder because he is so large that he appears capable of hurting someone. One neighborhood man says that even though J.B. is large that he does not hurt people unless he is pushed to do so. Nurse Robin, however, believes J.B. is capable of great violence. She describes how he would not loosen his hand to let her clean...