Why is playing it cool laced with irony for Starr?

For Starr, playing it cool is laced with irony because it contrasts sharply with her internal struggles and the reality of her experiences. While she tries to maintain a facade of nonchalance in a predominantly white school, she grApples with the trauma of witnessing her friend's murder and the complexities of her identity. The effort to appear unfazed often clashes with her deep emotions and the societal pressures she faces, highlighting the dissonance between her outward demeanor and inner turmoil. This irony underscores the challenges of navigating two worlds and the expectations placed upon her.