Summary

Chapter 11 is titled “Albert Roach” and is dated Friday, June 7, 1929. Albert is an officer at the Gastonia Police Department, but he is currently on suspension. He is a hothead and is often in trouble. On this day, he is with his fellow officer and friend, Tom Gibson. The two attend a veterans parade where they drink some, then go to a tavern where they drink some more. While Albert did not serve in the military, he feels he is a patriot because he wants to “stomp out communism, totalitarianism, and fascism” (305). He has simply never had the chance. They threaten a black man into telling them that blacks plan to attend the union meeting, and to call for a vote to allow the union to become integrated.

Tom and Albert drive to the site of the rally. Tom, citing the fact that Albert...