School Trip

School Trip explores issues of racism and discrimination, shedding light on their impact on people’s daily lives. Through the cast of young characters, the story particularly acknowledges the experiences of modern adolescents facing discrimination, including microaggressions in a school and social setting. Craft highlights the effect that discriminatory acts have on the lives of their targets.

The character Jordan is aware of the prejudices ingrained in society and addresses them often in his illustrations. For example, he depicts the truth that in malls, Black people are often ignored and overlooked by salespeople; however, when they browse independently, they may be branded as potential thieves solely based on their race. This situation arises when Drew hesitates to return a shirt with the security tag still attached, as he fears being accused of theft. Jordan’s mom explains, “Drew can’t risk anyone think he stole that shirt … It’s just not worth it” (50). Andy’s lack of understanding of the situation further highlights the discrepancy between white and Black experiences.

Craft often illustrates how racism perpetuates stereotypes, erasing the diverse realities of Black people’s lives. The character of Maury defies the stereotype that associates Blackness with poverty and lower social status—Maury comes from a wealthy family and lives in a mansion, and his father used to be Liam’s father’s boss.