“Heavy” by Kiese Laymon is an enlightening and comprehensive memoir narrating Laymon’s experiences while growing up in southern America as a black man. The memoir is based on the true life experiences of the author while growing up in Jackson. At the time, the southern states were racist against African Americans, and most institutions were racially segregated. People of color were also subjected to police brutality and were often killed. Through his memoir, Laymon explores various aspects of American society, like police brutality, gang violence, racism, body image, and the education system. As a result, Laymon makes various points about American society. Ultimately, this essay focuses on three points Laymon makes about American society in his memoir: the flawed justice system, institutional racism in the education sector, and America’s entrenchment in body weight and image.

The first point Laymon makes about American society is that its justice system is defective. Laymon argues from experience and witnesses that the American justice department discriminates against people of color. When asked if black folks could escape police like white folks, his grandmother replies, “Nope. Not at all. Never. You better never try that mess either, Kie” (Laymon 50). Laymon also points out that society subjects people of color to police brutality. The memoir narrates that “it don’t matter where you are. They will shoot your black ass out of the sky every chance they get. If you have a heart attack dodging the bullet, they will hide they guns and say you killed yourself” (Laymon 76). It is clear that the police often shoot black people even if they do not commit any offense, and black people are often seen as a threat by the police. Laymon also narrates his witness of police brutality. He asserts, “the news was interrupted with a video of a gang of white police officers surrounding four other white police officers. The four officers in the middle were beating the life out of this heavy-chained black man” (Laymon 85). The brutally attacked black man was seen as a threat by the white police officers for his weight. Fundamentally, Laymon argues that the American justice system is defective as it discriminates against people of color, prompting police brutality against African Americans.

The other point Laymon makes is that American society preserves institutional racism in terms of its education system. Laymon narrates how schools at the time were not integrated and that there were all-white schools and all-black schools. Laymon asserts, “I stand in the middle of a white eighth-grade classroom, in a white Catholic school, filled with white folk we didn’t even know” (Laymon 62). At the same time, Kiese points out the all-black school in Jackson that closed due to inadequate funding. From Laymon’s experience, it is clear that American education extends institutional racism as its institutions are racially segregated. White people also attend the best schools with adequate equipment, amenities, and funding. Contrarily, people of color are subjected to poor schools which lack funding and amenities like libraries and are often associated with poverty. Despite joining an all-white school, Laymon and other black students were expected to work extra hard than their white counterparts. The memoir notes, “everything you thought you knew changes tomorrow. Being twice as excellent as white folk will get you half of what they get. Being anything less will get you hell” (Laymon 65). Also, the all-white school Laymon attended had the majority of the teachers white. The memoir also explores how students of color did not have equal opportunities as white students. In case of making a mistake, students of color were subjected to harsh punishments. These points out an American society characterized by institutional racism in that white kids enjoys white privileges while students of color are marginalized.

Laymon also points out that American society is more concerned about body weight and image in that society values thinness and tall heights. Throughout his memoir, it is clear that thinness and tall height is a standard of beauty in American society. Laymon narrates more about his body weight and the fact that he was considered fat and short by his peers and even his grandmother. On many occasions, it is clear that Laymon is sensitive about his body weight and height. At one point, his grandmother yells, “get your fat ass out of my car” (Laymon 43). This left Laymon more concerned about his body weight and wondering if he was obese for a kid his age. On one occasion at school, students made fun of him for weighing too many pounds for his age. When he weighed 231 pounds, his coach commented, “damn, this big joker weighs two hundred thirty-one pounds!” (Laymon 72). Laymon narrates how he felt ashamed after and how the rest of his teammates laughed at him. Furthermore, LaThon tells him, “everybody is tripping because you weigh like twenty-six more pounds than Michael Jordan, but you like eight inches shorter” (Laymon 72). As a result, of the critiques, Laymon had to manage his diet to reduce weight. He asserts, “I stopped eating red meat, pork, chicken, fish, eggs, bread, and anything with refined sugar” (Laymon 124). Laymon had to start running and doing exercise just to reduce weight. Laymon even writes how his lover left him because he had fat legs. Consequently, his lengthy struggles with weight and body image impacted his mental and physical health. This portrays the image that the American culture is firmly entrenched in thinness and tallness in body weight and image.

Considering the three points Laymon makes about American society, I do agree with his arguments. I agree with his argument that the American justice department is flawed as it discriminates against people of color. Just as Laymon narrates his encounters and witnesses of police brutality, it is still a factor in contemporary American society. Despite achieving civil rights, people of color are still victims of police brutality. A recent case of police brutality is the death of George Floyd at the hand of a white police officer. According to recent reports, “black people, who account for 13 percent of the U.S. population, accounted for 27 percent of those fatally shot and killed by police in 2021” (Bunn par.3). I also agree with his argument that American education system perpetuates institutional racism. Even though schools are integrated, marginalized groups still experience racism and are still disadvantaged. Accordingly, “even before the coronavirus shutdown that exposed inequities in access to remote learning, important aspects of our public education system systematically worked against Black and Hispanic children, and children from low-income households” (CRPE par.2). Evidently, students of color still face educational inequalities in various areas like policies, funding, school zoning, and teacher placement. On the other hand, I also agree with Laymon’s argument that Americans are more entrenched in their body size and image. Notably, Americans see thinness and tall height as a standard of beauty. On the other hand, a good percentage of Americans are obese and are struggling to lose weight. Accordingly, “a growing number of Americans are overweight and have obesity despite an increase in the number of people who are trying to shed those excess pounds” (Rapaport par.1). Generally, I agree with Laymon’s arguments as they are relevant and reflects the contemporary American society.

To sum up, it is evident that Laymon makes potent points about American society that reflects contemporary America. Based on Laymon’s memoir, it is evident that the American justice department is defective as it discriminates based on color. Similarly, it is apparent that institutional racism is a factor in America’s education system, as students of color are disadvantaged compared to white students. Also, Laymon points out that American society values thinness and tallness as standards of beauty. Fat people often face body shaming, hence struggle to lose weight. Overall, I agree with Laymon’s arguments as they reflect what is still happening in contemporary American society.