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Daniel Palmieri
Mrs. Cristini
ENG 1D1b
26 May 2010
Eradication of Racist Roots
Robert Alan once said, Our global community has come a long way in helping to

eliminate discrimination, but we still have far to go. Throughout history, this issue of social
inequity has been an immense problem which we still continue to struggle with today. Although
racist attitudes are not as outwardly apparent as they were many decades ago, the crisis certainly
remains in our current society. Many people are not aware of the extent to which discrimination
manifests itself in the homes and schools of society. Regardless, action needs to be taken. This
despicable prejudice is illustrated in Chris Crutchers inspirational teen novel, Running Loose.
By thoroughly analyzing present day discriminatory incidents and contrasting these occurrences
with the novels main characters, Coach Jack Lednecky and Louie Banks, it is evident that
Crutchers novel allows the reader to acknowledge this societal problem and learn the
importance of eradicating racism, especially in the lives of teenagers.
To begin, despite various historical efforts to end racism, the horrible dilemma remains
throughout civilization. Current racial injustice was displayed through the case of the Jena Six.
In 2006, six African American students attending Jena High School in Jena, Louisiana, were
arrested after a fight in which a white student was beaten after taunting an African American
student with racial slurs. The six African American students were charged with attempted
murder, facing a lifetime in prison. Meanwhile, white students at the school committed various
hate crimes, notably the White Tree, a tree which only white students could sit under.

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Conversely, incidents such as these were merely dismissed as pranks. Following the incident,
many African American families and students from around the globe protested in favour of the
six students: Demonstrators in September took to the streets of the small town of Jena to protest
how authorities handled the cases of Bell and five other teens accused of beating white student
Justin Barker in December 2006. The incident was a culmination of fights between blacks and
whites (CNN). Because of their support, charges against the six students have been reduced,
however, they are still not free and justice has not been served. Similarly, Crutchers Running
Loose displays racial prejudice through the high school football coach, Jack Lednecky - a man
who would stop at nothing to win a football game. Louie Banks, the novel's protagonist,
describes him: One reason I didn't make it big in football before this year was that I wouldn't
cream the little guys in practice. Lednecky always wanted everybody to go all out against
everybody, and that meant if you came up against a 95-pounder in the meat grinder, you took his
head off (Crutcher 15). Consequently, it was not surprising that when Coach Lednecky
discovers that the star player of the opposing team, Kevin Washington, is African American, he
orders his players to injure him. Hoping to guarantee victory in a crucial game, Lednecky makes
an immoral decision inspired by his racist persona. Hes a black kid. A Negro...I played with the
blacks up at the U, and theres only one way you can stop them. Thats to hurt em. I want this
Washington Negro out of the game. Early! (Crutcher 48). By offensively describing and
secluding the African American race, Coach Lednecky effectively portrays his racial ignorance.
Fortunately, on the opposite side of the spectrum, a strong societal effort still exists in
hopes of abolishing racism. For instance, the United Nations Association in Canada fights
against prejudice through the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Each year on the twenty-first of March, the Canadian Government hosts contests such as the

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Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition. This popular event challenges Canadian youth
to express their feelings about eliminating racism through video, with the winning clip being
broadcasted on national television: The March 21 Campaign was initiated to clearly
demonstrate the commitment and leadership of the Government of Canada to foster respect,
equality and diversity (Citizenship and Immigration Canada). By creatively heightening
awareness and promoting racial harmony, Canada serves as a prime example of the current
communal attempt to end racism. Likewise, Crutchers Running Loose demonstrates the effort to
overcome racial discrimination through the novels central character, Louie Banks. After his
football coach orders the team to deliberately injure African American player, Kevin Washington,
of the opposing team, Louie quits football in protest of his coachs unethical actions: That was
the last play of my football career. I threw my helmet off...He did that on purpose! He tried to kill
him! (Crutcher 64). Knowing that his coach was wrong in his unprincipled tactics, Louie
continuously fights for Washingtons rights, and increases awareness for the situation within his
community. After numerous struggles with both his principal and his coach, Louie uses his
willpower to succeed in bringing justice and equality to Kevin Washington. Near the end of the
novel, Washington thanks Louie: Listen, Louie, my man, thank-you. I mean, for all that youve
done for me. Because of you, folks treat me pretty good nowadays, Id say (Crutcher 183).
Through his ethical actions, Louie Banks demonstrates that by merely taking a righteous stand,
even the average teenager can have an immense impact on a colossal global concern.
With careful examination of both recent public dilemmas as well as Crutchers Running
Loose, one can infer that racism continues to haunt the global community, especially through
adolescents. It is evident that Crutcher purposts that justice must be brought to the victims of
discriminatory struggles. The modern youth population must come to realize that taking a stand

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against prejudice circumstances will play an enormous role in the end to racial segregation. Akin
to a gardener removing weeds from the blooming flower bed, society must grasp racism by its
roots and eradicate it once and for all.

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