Justyce is an African-American senior scholarship student at Braselton Academy. Having been raised by a single mother after the alcohol-related death of his father, Justyce sees the education he's receiving at an illustrious prep school as a step toward his future, which is bright and likely includes an Ivy League college and a law degree. While his best friend Manny's friends, all of whom are white, are not exactly Justyce's favorites, he tolerates them for Manny's sake. In addition to academic pursuits, Justyce has dated Melo Taylor, despite Manny's reservations, and proves his kindness when he walks a mile to stop her from driving drunk.

When Justyce is arrested while helping Melo, his world view is altered. First, Justyce always believed that because of his academic leanings and nonthreatening appearance he wouldn't experience "the stuff THOSE black guys deal with" (12). However, his arrest makes it clear to him that his Blackness is conflated with criminality, at least in the eyes of Castillo. Justyce starts to chafe more at Manny's friends racially insensitive behavior and offensive jokes, and he finds himself angry with Manny for not getting indignant, too. Justyce shows his penchant for self-reflection and self-growth in his decision to consult Dr.