Reflecting on the African American Literature Discussion

After a really in-depth small group and class discussion, I began thinking about Bronx Masquerade, by Nikki Grimes, in a different way. A lot of important points were brought up but most of the topics that stand out have to do with dealing with stereotypes.

It seems as though Grimes has created and reinforced the stereotypes in the characters that are portrayed in her story. She creates students that begin as young people who fit into very stereotypic "African American" roles. Does she break these stereotypes? Does she force us to look at them more deeply? These have become ideas that are understood and accepted and it is a concern that the readers will walk away from the book thinking this is the way all inner-city students are. Tyrone is the character whose voice carries throughout the whole story. He acts as the one who links all of these students together and leads the realization that no one is only skin deep. He comes right out and says that the students he once used to think fit into a certain "box" no longer fit into the same place anymore. The students reveal deep thoughts about themselves through poetry and prove to be so much more than their outward appearance.

Considering all of that, the question still exists, does Grimes break through those stereotypes or only reinforce them more for her readers? How can we even begin to come up with an answer?