In the book “ A Hope in the Unseen” we read about an African-American Child named Cedric Jennings, who is facing challenging issues at his troubled inner-city high school lactated in a crime infested neighborhood in Washington D.C. He also faces the daunting task of adapting to his new surrounding in College when he decides to attend and Ivy League School. In his personal life he is also trying to coop with the struggles his hard working single mother faces in regards to providing food and shelter for her son without the emotional and financial support of his father who is a drug dealer. Despite all of Cedric Jennings tribulations his will, determination, faith and support by his mother he is able to overcome the harsh reality of attending…show more content… Like most inner-city kids, they knew that any special attention in a place this dangerous could make you a target of violence. Cedric Jennings was a bright and intelligent student with a determination to succeed. The program designed by the principal at Ballou High to boost the top students’ self-esteem was not received well because it allowed for the crew members to put a face to the names recognized on the “Wall of Honor”. Principal Washington’s new tactic involved bribery. He stated “Give straight A students cash and maybe they’ll get respect”. “The catch was for the winners to personally receive their checks at award assemblies.” (Pg. 3) The program not only exposed the honor students, but also put them at risk of being bullied and targets of violence. That is the reason Cedric Jennings and most of his honor classmates refused to have their names displayed on the “Wall of Honor” as well as not wanting to attend the award assemblies. In one occasion Cedric refused to attend the award assembly and instead retreated to a deserted Chemistry Classroom. “it’s his private sanctuary, the one place at Ballou where he feels safe, where he can get some peace”. (Pg.4) when asked by his Chemistry teacher Clarence Taylor why he didn’t attend the assembly he responded “Glad I didn’t go, then”. “I just couldn’t take that abuse again”.
