RACISM AND SENSE OF BELONGING: A PSYCHOSOCIAL STUDY OF ZOBOI AND SALAAM’S PUNCHING THE AIR

Abstract

This research examines Punching the Air (2020), a novel by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam, which draws inspiration from the true story of Salaam, a wrongfully convicted teenager.The narrative highlights the pervasive discrimination faced by black individuals within a
racially biased judicial system, reflecting broader themes of systemic racism embedded in American society. Through the lens of Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory, this study analyzes how trauma and oppression shape identity formation among black youth. The paper identifies various forms of oppression, including exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence, illustrating how these factors contribute to collective trauma in black communities. Furthermore, it explores specific issues such as educational disparities, healthcare inequalities, economic hardships, and the psychological impact of microaggressions. The results highlight the critical need for institutional reform, including judiciary to address these systematic inequalities.
Ultimately, this research aims to illuminate the ongoing struggles of black individuals in a predominantly white society and the critical role of literature in fostering dialogue and understanding around racial injustice