Police as arbiters of prejudice
Although police are paid to become unbiased arbiters or justice, their practice of law enforcement is subject to their own opinions. This isn't just sad and inappropriate; it's downright horrifying. The Black community doesn't know what to expect from law enforcement when they demonstrate, and throughout the Civil Rights Movement, the police were seen taking sides against the protestors, often injuring innocent protestors for using their First Amendment right to demonstration and speech. Later, when the family needs the police, the police don't do their job. It seems that these police only really serve those like them.
Law and oppression
The book points to an unfortunate irony, that although legal battles had been won by the Black community through the continued demonstrations of the Civil Rights Movement, the Jim Crow era injustices continued through racial bias and legal oppression. Although the law started to change, the law practicioners like officers, lawyers, and judges were still liable to hold views that were outdated or racist. This meant that (and it could be argued this is still an issue) Black people were not really protected by the law in the same way white men tended to be.
The ironic move
Patricia knew that the political unrest and turmoil in her community might be a dangerous place to raise her daughter. She moves with her husband to a primarily white community in the suburbs, hoping to give her a chance at better opportunities. This is an ironic move for Tananarive because it makes her into an outsider overnight. In her community before, she blended in, but the opportunities in that community weren't there. So, instead, she is asked to be in community with white kids who are typically very racist and hostile, for a chance at a better life.
Organization and change
During this era of American history, something important started to happen. Whereas before, the whole community struggled to make change, now they understand the basic shape of a political movement, largely due to Martin Luther King, Jr's example. The Civil Rights Movement brings change by showing that alone, political voices aren't heeded, but in unison, in a large group setting, the movements gain more power. The book is an account of how these two women learned to cooperate with their community for change. The irony is that the community can strengthen itself against injustice by choosing peaceful protest instead of older strategies or violence.
Racism and truth
Racism is highly ironic because it has been one of the most powerful political ideologies in American history. One only has to look back a few hundred years to see full-blown slavery. The idea of racism is so deeply engrained in American history that to face the truth of it is a serious task. This is further complicated by the survival of racism into the present-day. Because of successful movements in the latter 20th century, the culture has condemned racism, but in small pockets, the culture of racism and hatred for others is still alive and well. The truth about racism is that it is hard to eliminate, because families can teach their children to be hateful.
