Friday Black

Content Warning: This story discusses anti-Black violence.

Isaiah, a Black man, works at Zimmer Land, a theme park specializing in interactive justice, where he roleplays as an antagonist in life-and-death scenarios. While the scenarios are intended to tackle issues in meaningful ways, patrons typically choose violent approaches to resolve the scenarios. The story begins with Isaiah working through one such module called Cassidy Lane, where he is killed by a patron who perceives him as a dangerous neighborhood intruder. Leaving the park for the day, Isaiah finds his car covered in protest flyers.

Isaiah, who understands the moral conflict surrounding his work but appreciates the job security, goes to his first meeting as a member of the creative development team. Arriving late, he listens as the company’s CEO, Heland Zimmer, and the Park Operations President, Doug, introduce a new module to the park that will enable children to participate as patrons. After the meeting, Isaiah speaks privately with Heland and Doug to share his concerns about the way the modules frame violence, suggesting that his module, Cassidy Lane, should go on to show what happens to Isaiah’s family if the patron chooses to kill him.