Running Riot

by Ann Gianola

Ruby takes pride in the way she looks. She resents the unfairness of a system in which people are not treated equally, and she wants the world to know. She has become a regular protester, rioting and looting in downtown Portland. She is angry, not just about what happened to George Floyd, but at the way people like Melvina and her mother dare to question her beliefs and actions. After all, everything she’s doing is for Melvina and other people of color. Shouldn’t Melvina be grateful? It takes a tragic event for Ruby to wake up and begin to learn from the real consequences of her actions. Ruby takes pride in the way she looks. She resents the unfairness of a system in which people are not treated equally, and she wants the world to know. She has become a regular protester, rioting and looting in downtown Portland. She is angry, not just about what happened to George Floyd, but at the way people like Melvina and her mother dare to question her beliefs and actions. After all, everything she’s doing is for Melvina and other people of color. Shouldn’t Melvina be grateful? It takes a tragic event for Ruby to wake up and begin to learn from the real consequences of her actions.

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