Street Love

Junice Ambers is a Black seventeen-year-old living in Harlem with her grandmother, Ruby, and younger sister, Melissa. She is kind and loving, devoted to keeping her family intact despite Ruby’s struggle to care for the sisters. Having lived an underprivileged life, she understands how the world views her and thus, internalizes shame for lacking money. Junice defends her incarcerated mother, Leslie, claiming she sold drugs to provide for their family; her father, Arthur, is notably absent.

When Damien shows interest in Junice, her lack of self-confidence becomes evident: She is dubious of his attention and certain that his interest in her is misguided. Junice alternates between frustration and resignation over her financial situation, adamant that it is beyond her control due to the decisions of past family members. Yet, she acknowledges these women’s collective strength and is determined to rise above her station through hard work; she even defies social worker Rachel Davis and the world she represents by leaving for Memphis. Though Junice is uncertain whether or not her distant relative in Memphis will help, she prioritizes keeping her and Melissa together—and falls for Damien and Shakespearean fate in the process.

Damien’s best friend, Kevin parallels the role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. Kevin is fully supportive of his best friend and cares deeply about his well-being. He defends Damien when Sledge, Damien’s rival, puts him down. Kevin speaks in a heavy slang and rhyming-based manner, which emphasizes that he has a type of street smarts that sets him apart from Damien. His jocular and energy-filled demeanor counters Damien’s level-headed and rational countenance. The exception to this, however, relates to their stances on Junice. While Damien is hopelessly in love—certain that it is impossible to tamp down his love for Junice—Kevin warns him to proceed with caution. Kevin frequently reminds Damien that his mother would disapprove of him befriending Junice, as she is part of a lower socioeconomic class. Kevin is caring in this warning, however, and explicitly states that he will support Damien regardless of the decision Damien makes. In this way, Kevin is an unconditional friend who cares greatly for Damien’s well-being and serves as a sounding board for Damien to express his feelings about Junice.