“No one is ever just one thing.”

As Mac describes his town and its rules, he adds that Ms. Sett also has strict rules, but she was also really nice to him. This perceived contradiction shows Mac’s ability to have a complex understanding of human nature as well as the ambiguity of Ms. Sett’s character.

“I’m white […] But just because I’m white doesn’t mean I can’t talk about what white people do wrong […] we don’t talk about how 73 percent of the signers of the Declaration of Independence owned slaves.”

Mac explains why it is important to him to talk about disturbing or challenging things in history when he recalls asking a question about the Founding Fathers on a field trip. He thinks everyone should know the truth even if it hurts because otherwise, people will make the same mistakes, foreshadowing the truths to come.

“Grace is a good thing to have. It’s like jam. It sweetens things.”

Mac provides a simile for grace as he thinks of how his mother and grandad give grace in moments of conflict. Their styles of conflict resolution make an impact on Mac’s own communication as he resists the censorship efforts at his school.