Summary

The short story "The African-American Special" by Jason Reynolds presents a conversation between two African-American men in a bar. 

A regular customer named Frank Fortune points out to the narrator, who is the bartender, that a white man left him a one-dollar tip. Although the narrator acknowledges the tip, he is unhappy with the amount and complains to Fortune. In response, Fortune tells the narrator that he should not expect more from white people, and that African Americans should not feel entitled to anything from them. He brings up a young man who recently came into the bar and was complaining about the rising cost of rent as an example of the younger generation of African Americans being too entitled and blaming everyone else for their problems. Fortune believes that young black people are coddled and weak.

The narrator argues that young black people are worn down by the struggles and difficulties they face. He points out that white people have more opportunities and advantages in life, which is not fair. He says poor black children often struggle to afford an education and then work a low-paying job that barely covers their living expenses. On the other hand, white children o...