Kevin Lis
Mr. Cohen
ENG2D
October 1, 2024
How is Bri’s identity represented within On the Come Up?
Bri’s identity throughout the book is shown as a character that follows and takes the role other people make for her. However, towards the end we see her change her identity to carrying her own torch. In the beginning of the book Bri writes a song that does not fully represent her as a person, but instead what her aunt is a part of, and how her life is portrayed. Towards the middle we again see that Bri was forced to sing a song she didn't like the lyrics to but despite that continued to sing it. But towards the end of the book is where we see Bri finally find her way and is no longer playing the stereotype that people want her to play, and is instead carrying her own torch in the rap industry.
When Bri writes On The Come Up the song was supposed to be about the struggles her and her family have gone through but instead she makes the song about something she isn't. “Strapped like backpacks, I pull triggers. All the clips on my hips change my figure” (Thomas, On The Come Up, 112) This proves the idea that Bri writes her song about something she isn't. We see this because she has never held a gun in her life yet she is claiming to be strapped like backpacks. She wants to play this role that Supreme gave her because she believes it will give her the hype she needs to get her family out of the situation they are in. Bri’s use of the phrase “playing into the stereotype” (Thomas, On The Come Up, 183) really emphasizes how everyone is trying to make her someone she isn't. She is believing them and playing into it even though she knows it's wrong. Thomas uses a simile in the lines “Strapped like backpacks, I pull triggers” (Thomas, On The Come Up, 112) To further explain how she is playing into that role people are making into her and not being her own person. This is also explained through the first person narration throughout the book as well as the stream of consciousness we see. Bri is always thinking about standing up to what people are saying about her and making her do. We can see this when she says “Maybe my words are dangerous”(Thomas, On The Come Up, 302). But through the first person narration we see that she never says what she is thinking; she just goes along with it. Not only is this a challenge that Bri has, but it is a common problem with teenageres in the world today. A lot of teens tend to change who they are so they can fit in with a group of people, this commonly makes teens forget who they are as people.
After Bri got all the hype from her first song, Supreme makes her sing a song with De-Nice that doesn't represent what she agrees with. But she sings the song anyway.
I’m suddenly in an exhibit, and there's a room full of people waiting for me to entertain them. I have to say what they want me to say. Be what they want me to be. The worst part? I do it. (Thomas, On The Come Up, 384)
This proves again the idea that Bri does things she doesn't want to do so she can fit into the role and stereotype other people have made for her. We can see this because she talks about how she feels like she is an animal in a zoo entertaining everyone but even though she thinks and feels that it's wrong to make this song she again does it anyway. Bri uses the words “there's people waiting for me to entertain them” to show how she is feeling, she knows that the song and things she is being asked to do is wrong but again she goes along with it further explaining how she does things to play the role and fit in. Thomas uses the metaphor “I’m suddenly in an exhibit” to show how Bri feels trapped, Bri feels like she is being forced to entertain and do things against her will just like an animal in a cage would be forced to. We see this further through the stream of consciousness that Angie Thomas writes in. Thomas does this so we can further understand how she is feeling and what she is thinking when she makes the decisions to play the role and not be 100% true to herself. This is also a common problem in today's world. Being a follower is something a lot of people do today in the world. They feel like what they have to say no one will like so instead they say what other people want them to say and that is what's happening with Bri
After Supreme continues to push her to be someone she's not, she finally says she doesn't want to be her fathers clone anymore. “Nah. Got my own torch. I think that's what my dad would want.” (Thomas, On The Come Up, 431) This proves how toward the end of the book Bri begins to find herself. We can see this because Bri explains how she is going to carry her own torch and not be a follower. She learns through the help of her mom that she doesn't need to become someone she's not to get famous. Bri uses the words “people acted like I was my dads clone” (Thomas, On The Come Up, 439) to explain how even though she was trying to make her own way in rap she was constantly being associated with what her dad did, often being called little law instead of her name. Thomas uses the words “Got my own torch” (Thomas, On The Come Up, 431) to explain how Bri is no longer following in her dads footsteps but instead is paving her own path in the rap industry. We see this further as the turning point for Bri as she is now saying and doing what she is feeling. We can see this through the first person narration Angi Thomas uses. Instead of singing the song, Supreme told her in the ring that she didn't agree with. She instead makes a song up on the spot that's true to who she is. On The Come Up is a book that is meant to show young adults that they have a voice as well as they are not alone when facing the struggles of racism, stereotyping and other characteristics commonly used towards the black community. This is why Bris's voice is so important. It shows that a voice can change a lot more than people think.
In conclusion Bri’s identity throughout the book is shown as someone who plays the role and stereotypes other people give her. As a female colored woman she is constantly getting the stereotype as a hoodlum. But toward the end of the book we see Bri begins to put the stereotypes aside and make her own path. In the beginning of the story it is clear Bri is not being her own person and instead is following what others say about her. Towards the middle of the book Bri continues to do things that play the role Supreme gave to her and continues to not be true to herself by raping lyrics she didnt agree with. But towards the end of the book is where Bri finally is true to herself and puts aside the role other people made for her and plays her own role that correlates more with her. This Quote by George R.R Martin really describes Bris' experience throughout the book."Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength, then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you."(George R.R Martin)
Works Cited
Martin, George RR. “George R.R. Martin Quote: “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness....”” QuoteFancy, https://quotefancy.com/quote/434/George-R-R-Martin-Never-forget-what-you-are-for-surely-the-world-will-not-Make-it-your. Accessed 2 October 2024.
Thomas, Angie. On the Come Up. HarperCollins Publishers, 2020.
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