Then my dad said, 'This country is going a little bit crazy. I know it's just a glitch in the road, but I want you to know there're things you can't do anymore.'

Question

33 And I'm like, 'What kind of stuff,' because I had thought the older you got the more stuff you can do, not can't.
34 He said, 'You can't be running around the playground with that water gun, for one. Or that Nerf gun, or that little light-up key-ring gun thing you got from your aunt last year? You can't even carry that in your pocket anymore.'
35 Then my dad goes, 'You get me, right, Mar?'
36 And I just nodded. I was so mad, I didn't even look at him
37 Amari looked around at us. I knew what he was talking about. I'd seen the papers and heard Holly's mom and dad talking about a boy who got killed for playing with a toy gun. Holly's mom said that it wouldn't have happened if the boy was white, and Holly's dad had nodded.
38 The cops who shot that kid in the park didn't even ask him any questions, Amari said. Just came in the park and shot him right away. And then when his big sister tried to run to him, they didn't even let her go to him

What are you observing or thinking about this chapter

Answer 1

Based on this chapter, it appears that the protagonist's father is expressing concern about the current state of the country and the restrictions placed on certain activities. The mention of not being able to play with water guns, Nerf guns, or toy guns suggests that there is a heightened sensitivity towards these objects due to recent incidents involving police shootings. The protagonist's anger and reluctance to look at their father may indicate their disagreement or frustration with these new limitations. Additionally, the reference to a boy getting killed for playing with a toy gun and the racial implications mentioned by Holly's parents highlight the social issues and injustices that are prevalent in the country.