Knockout Artist
Lawrence reminds Xavier of the “white boys” he went to High School with who imitated black rappers so unflatteringly they put on a “modern-day minstrelshow” and told Xavier that he listened to “white music” and talked “all proper” because his black mother taught college English. In defending his pride, Xavier goes too far and the dark inner voice takes over during sparring:
‘An image flashed across his mind’s eye Lawrence’s face leaking blood from openings both natural and not. And Xavier wanted to make the image real.’
Wes Brown reviews John Vercher‘s After the Lights Go Out.