Chapter Six Summary

Every male student at Gunnar's high school is required to attend monthly assemblies discussing racial prejudice. The motivational speakers usually consists of business leaders, athletes, or ex convicts. Gunnar notices that no matter who the speaker is, the message is always the same.

Gunnar develops a close relationship with his high school basketball coach. Coach Shimimoto learns to play basketball while incarcerated in a camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II. Both Gunnar and Nick become very popular because of their talent at basketball. Gunnar handles the attention better than Nick. Gunnar and Nick's friends from outside of school also come to watch all of their games. Once when a player on an opposing team strikes Nick, Psycho Loco threatens the entire other team with a shotgun.

While Gunnar enjoys playing the game, he is indifferent about organized basketball. He thinks...