Jamal lives in Brooklyn New York, in one of the historic brownstones, with his mother and older brother. Their father was killed in the Iraq war in a helicopter accident. They have this large, amazing mirror, that has been in the family for many years. Jamal's father before he died taught Jamal how to go to the mirror and speak positive and inspirational saying in the mirror because he believes life and death are in the power of the tongue. His father wanted to teach Jamal, that he wasn't alone, and that he was standing in front of powerful Americans and a strong community. The mirror is only a symbol of continued strength his father taught Jamal and his brother