I'm Not Dying with You Tonight
by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal
Lena and Campbell are two McPherson High School students that are barely acquaintances, but end up relying on each other to escape from the chaos that ensues after a football game. A student from the opposing team's school hurls racial slurs at another student, causing a huge riot to break out and the cops to show up. I'm Not Dying with You Tonight is written from two perspectives; Lena is black and has lived in Atlanta, Georgia all her life, so she is used to the intense racial climate, whereas Campbell is white and is having trouble adjusting to her new home after moving from Haverford, Pennsylvania. Campbell is not fully aware of how common racial injustice is in Atlanta, which frustrates Lena, but ultimately knows that Campbell's naiveté is a result of never witnessing or experiencing such incidents before.
Having read only the first part so far, I'm Not Dying with You Tonight is a thought-provoking read about race relations in America, which is very essential to understand in the present time. The contrast in Lena's and Campbell's language is indicative of their cultures and emphasizes their differences; I found it quite interesting that it was written this way. I definitely want to continue reading!