Injustice in Punching the Air Novel by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

Abstract

This research focuses on injustice in the novel Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam using Antonio Gramsci's theory of hegemony. This novel presents the struggle of each character very epically, namely the struggle of Black people in the face of White people's discrimination against them, where they are the minority. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method, and the data collection technique in this research is the analysis method, which interprets the novel Punching the Air. Through this analysis, it can be found that the novel Punching the Air provides a powerful exploration of injustice, mainly focusing on racial bias and the profound consequences of a legal system that often fails to protect the rights and dignity of marginalized individuals. By using hegemony theory, this research can highlight the efforts of individuals to fight injustice. The research contributes to the understanding that literary works can reflect and critique oppressive injustices.