Am I Blue? Reading Response

In the short story Am I Blue by Bruce Coville gays were discriminated and people were prejudice towards them. People like Butch Carrigan were prejudice. Butch beat up Vincent because he was gay. Gay people are made fun of and not accepted all the time and although gay people were not okay with being discriminated and made fun of they find   ways to avoid stuff like that. 

Melvin told Vincent a way that gay people avoid being made fun by name calling. People call gay people faggots and queer and so gay people tried to find a way to make that less offensive. Gay people call each other queers and faggots to take the word from people who try to hurt them. Melvin said “My friends and I call each other faggot and queer,” and then “to take the words from people who try to hurt us.” This was one way gay people avoided name calling.

Vincent learned that Melvin lost his life because he was gay and that he was killed. So another way to avoid people noticing that you’re gay is by protective coloration. Melvin was able to do it because he is a fairy but a way to hide that you’re gay is by wearing more masculine clothing. This is another way gay people avoid discrimination.

In conclusion, Vincent learned that it is okay to be gay but not fully okay to show it because of some people. He learned that he can be discriminated if people know that he is gay. Vincent found a way to be hurt by people calling you names. He also found out how not to let people know that he is gay. I personally don’t know anyone that is gay but I probably won’t be prejudice or discriminate them.