The Crew

Eli Bradley

Eli and Isaiah Bradley have moved to Harlem, due to Isaiah need of care. They live with his Aunt Faith. On his mother side of the family. At his new school, he was reporting an oral report on American History and some of the class didn't agree on it.

"Sometikes its really hard not to hate this country. But when the Tuskegee Experiment was finally brought to light in 1972. P.H.S. Officials remained unrepentant about their use of illiterate black men as lab rats or test monkeys. It wasnt until 1997 that the government apologized, when President Clinton said, 'The United States did something that was wrong deeply, proudly, morally wrong and clearly racist.' And when President Obama said --." Eli presented his report until three students interrupt him.

"Blah, blah, blah. If you think its so bad here, why don't you move to Russia, Iraq or Africa." Said one of the students.

"Yeah, my Uncle's neighbor was a fireman during 9/11. So screw you, Eli!" Said another student.

"If you think we're racist because we're Republicans. You're the racist! Everything is about race to you. You can't face the fact that your president stole the election." Said another student.

"Shh! Shh! Boys, thats enough! Let me remind you, this is History Class, and there's nothing Un-American about examining our history. Inxluding rhe things our ancestors done wrong." Said the teacher.

"Yeah, you'd think in a place built on slavery and genocide that is..." Eli said.

"Okay, Eli. Thank you for your presentation. You can take your seat, now." The teacher said.

"Yes, Miss. Martens." Eli said as he go to his seat.

"Yeah, nice work trash talking your country. No wonder your grandfather got locked up all those years. So you can go to hell! Your grandfather was a sorry excuse of a Captain America. Just like our new one." Said the student.

Rage. Eli threw a punch at the student and the two started fighting. Eli was sent to the principal office and his aunt was the school to talk at the principal. He heard that he will be suspended for three days. His aunt, Faith, walked out and send him home.

In the car, Eli was sitting in the car silently while his aunt was driving.

"This isn't like you, Eli. You never got sent to the Principal office and you never get into any trouble. Where is this behavior coming from?" Faith said.

"This kid was trash talking grandpa and saying I don't respect my country. He was just being an asshole." Eli said.

"Watch your mouth, Eli!" Faith said.

"What was I suppose to do? Let them said that stuff about my grandpa?" Eli said.

"You need to learn how to fight with your words instead with your hands. That's what most of you boys need to learn." Faith said as Eli saw a graffiti wall of Sam Wilson Captain America.

At home, Faith hands Eli a sandwich for, Isaiah.

"Here. Take this to your grandpa and tell him what happened today." Faith said.

"Yes, Auntie." Eli said as he takes the sandwich to his grandpa.

He went into Isaiah room, while he was watching an interview of Sam Wilson on TV.

"Hey, grandpa. I got you lunch." Eli said.

"Hey, son. Thanks." Isaiah said as he stared at the TV.

"I got into a fight today. Suspended for three days. Some kids at school saying mean things about you and that I don't respect my country." Eli said.

"Listen to me. People will say what they want to say. Don't let no one tell you otherwise. And I dont blame you for punching that kid. Did you give him the old one two? Just like I taught you." Isaiah said.

"Yes, sir." Eli smiled.

"That's my grandson." Isaih said.

Eli walked to his room and said to himself, "Its hard sometimes to be a black kid carrying a name like, "Patriot." It wasnt something about supporting your government. It was about knowing what your country could be, what it should be trying to lead it there through your example." He opens his closet with a shield and his patriot costume he made from his grandpa costume when he was Captain America.