The conversation devolves into an argument that shows the divide between Chuck and Ellice. 96Īfter attending parent-teacher night, Jordan's parents come home and discuss what his teachers said about his engagement and performance. Nor should they have to! That’s why I left that life.” Ellice and Chuck, p.

“But not everyone can play that game, Ellice.

'In order to be successful in corporate America, you have to know how to play the game.” While Garner tries to convince Jordan not to read into it, in the very next panel, an older white man walks past Garner and mistakes him for the school's Black coach, proving Jordan's point. Garner, one of the few Black members of the faculty. In this exchange, Jordan expresses his frustration to Mr. A common form of microaggression in schoolrooms is when teachers-especially among those who haven't been exposed to much cultural diversity-routinely call a student belonging to a minority group by the name of another student within that group. Microaggression is a term used to describe language and behavior which-whether intentional or not-can be perceived as racist in nature by the person impacted. I’m sure it’s only because you’re new.” Mr. “Okay, except they keep calling me and Drew by the wrong names.” Instead, Maury's family's extreme wealth has resulted in him having elite tastes that are alienating to Jordan. The exchange is significant because it shows that Jordan and Maury both being Black does not necessarily mean they have an easy time relating to each other. However, the two quickly learn that they have little in common, as Maury doesn't play video games and Jordan doesn't even realize that squash is a sport often played by the wealthy. One day after school, Jordan attempts to befriend Maury, one of the few Black students at RAD.

“Nah, I’m more of a broccoli guy.” Jordan and Maury, p. I’d rather play Alexander Hamilton in T he George Washington Musical… Or at least play cello in the orchestra. Ultimately, the exact meaning of the words isn't important to Ellice because they amount to elite shibboleths Jordan will soon learn about. In this humorous exchange of dialogue, Ellice admits she also doesn't know what 'crew' (team rowing) or 'the Harkness method' (an educational model where students discuss topics while sitting at the same table) are. Meanwhile, Jordan winces and his father furrows his brow, neither of them understanding the significance of the school's features. In the graphic novel's opening scene, Jordan's mother, Ellice, swoons over the Riverdale Academy Day School website. “I have no idea, but they sound wonderful.” Ellice, Jordan and Chuck, p. “They offer five languages, AP classes, the Harkness method, lacrosse, crew…”

New Kid by Jerry Craft